Man Caught Taking Upskirt Videos Looks Exactly How You'd Expect

A 33-year-old Long Island man was arrested in the human anthill known as the Union Square subway station yesterday after cops caught him filming video up a woman’s skirt without her knowledge or permission. In the photo local NYC news ran of the man, he is wearing a shirt that reads “I (HEART) ASIAN GIRLS,” holding a solo cup, wearing shades at night, and giving a thumbs up. Because of course he is.

As the local reporter during the segment explained, many would-be upskirt photographers (like Karl Sholder, the man arrested yesterday) target women at busy transit hubs, since they’re often so packed that a person encroaching into personal space wouldn’t arouse any suspicion. Subway stations’ labyrinths of stairs also give upskirt enthusiasts prime opportunities to snap images quickly, also without setting off alarm bells. Dozens of men were arrested in New York City subways alone in 2012.

What the news report didn’t get exactly right was the implication that posting “creepshots” online is a “sometimes” thing. It happens all the fucking time. Less than two years ago, Reddit ignited a huge controversy by dragging its feet in removing and banning its r/creepshots forum, and it still hasn’t fully eradicated unauthorized photos of women’s body parts from the site. (Counterargument: BUT FREE SPEECH!) There are tons of heavily trafficked creepshots forums on the web where men post and swap stills and videos down women’s shirts, up women’s skirts, because some guys get off on that and are willing to disregard the personal privacy and autonomy of women in the name of pursuing their own boners. It’s not just throbbing megadouches like Karl Sholder, either; it’s federal air marshals, Lincoln Memorial predators, doctors.

Shit like this is why I always clutch my skirt like a crazy person when I walk up stairs in public transportation hubs. And why I’ve always felt, deep down, that sideways baseball caps on white dudes are an almost sure sign of trouble.