Vallone Also Understands The Creepy Subtext Of Hitchcock’s Rear Window

That telescope you set up in the bay window is one thing (New York City astronomer . . . sure!) but now even idle gazing may get you in trouble, too*:

At one time or another, many New Yorkers unwittingly find themselves staring into the window of an adjacent building and spotting a neighbor in a state of undress. It’s almost unavoidable among the city’s close quarters and some might go so far as to call it a beloved pastime. But it may become illegal under new legislation before the City Council.

Council Member Peter Vallone Jr. of Queens is proposing to outlaw voyeurism by extending a state law that forbids non-consensual peeping with cameras to peeping with the naked eye.

In addition to targeting repeat offenders who crane their necks to peer under the dresses of women scampering up and down subway stairs, the legislation would also crack down on anyone caught staring into the window of a private bedroom or bathroom.

. . .

While the bill was designed to deal with repeat offenders who do their peeping in public, Mr. Vallone acknowledged that, “invariably, other situations are going to get caught up in this.”

Vallone of course is pretty proficient when it comes to devising constitutionally problematic legislation . . .

*And the first on the list will be these people . . .