New York police investigating men seen masturbating near schools

Parents are hugging their children even tighter on the Upper West Side this week after two men were recently spotted masturbating outside two schools.

Administrators at Central Park Montessori, a preschool and kindergarten program on West 91st Street, sent a note to parents Wednesday about the disturbing incident that took place during students’ dismissal the day before.

A parent noticed a man masturbating across the street from the school and managed to take a photo of the pervert, the note said.

Police were called, but the suspect was long gone by the time they arrived, a distraught mother, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Post.

“People are sick,” said one father, who also wished to remain anonymous.

“I’m just glad we know what it looks like.”

An NYPD spokesperson confirmed that it received a report of public lewdness Tuesday regarding “an individual (who) was observed in front of 1 West 91 Street exposing and manipulating his genitals.”

Police are investigating and increasing patrols around the school, especially when students are leaving, they said.

“I feel a mixture of emotions,” the mother explained.

“I am so grateful that a parent was able to capture this photo so clearly and report it to the school. I am also very impressed with the school’s response. I really feel a responsibility to do more.”

The mother said she plans to pressure the NYPD to find the masturbator.

“I think it’s my job to keep this case at the top of their priority list and make sure this man is arrested and behind bars,” she said.

That same day, a man was also spotted pleasuring himself in front of PS 075 Emily Dickinson School on West End Avenue on Tuesday, next to a sign for a kindergarten registration event, according to a parent who filmed the man before he left the area.

It is not known whether the same person is behind both incidents.

An NYPD spokesperson said no reports of the West End Avenue incident had been filed.