But unless a person's behavior is "lewd," he or she can walk around Brattleboro naked without breaking any laws. Increasingly, Capt. Steven Rowell of the Brattleboro Police Department said, people are aware of that fact and taking advantage of it.
Since a group of nudist began frequenting the Harmony Parking Lot last year, Brattleboro has become all too familiar with the unclothed.
"We have a group of people who want to come enjoy the legal activity," said Rowell.
Windham County State's Attorney Dan Davis said he can not recall any charges ever being filed against any of the nudists. He said if a nudist was to be charged, it would likely either be for prohibited acts, a misdemeanor, or potentially lewd and lascivious behavior, a felony.
The police department will respond to any complaint of public nudity, Rowell said. But unless that person is acting in a certain way or showing any sign of sexual gratification, he or she is not breaking any law.
Still, that doesn't stop the police from asking a person nicely to put on some clothes.
By PATRICK J. CROWLEY, Reformer Staff
