Public Harassment Crackdown
A local man faces the maximum fine for his behavior toward women walking along Pacific Avenue.
W. J. Raymond, 41 years old, was arrested last evening for insulting women on Pacific Avenue. Raymond, according to the officer, stood on a street corner and made remarks to several women as they passed. Judge Arntson has been unusually severe with this class of offenders, giving every 'masher' brought before him within the past six months the maximum fine of $10 and costs. Raymond will face the court late this afternoon.
“Judge Arntson has been unusually severe with this class of offenders, giving every 'masher' brought before him... the maximum fine.”
The term 'masher' was the common euphemism for street harassment in the early 20th century. Judge Arntson's 'unusually severe' stance against this behavior shows that public street harassment was a contested civic issue even a century ago.
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