Cops: Stratford Man Peed on Pump in Plain View

A 50-year-old Stratford man might have dodged a disorderly conduct charge if he opted to urinate in a less open public place.

A Stratford police officer on patrol was flagged down Saturday at about 7:45 p.m. by a group of people at the Irving Gas Station at 2000 Barnum Ave., according to a police report.

The group reportedly directed the officer to the station's north side along Boston Avenue, where a man was allegedly urinating on an air pump.

Henry Avenue resident Frank Lacerenza continued to urinate on the air pump as an officer attempted to get his attention, police said. When the man eventually turned around he identified himself and there was a smell of alcohol on his breath, police said. Lacerenza did not appear drunk, however, police said.

Lacerenza did not say why he choose to urinate outside a public restroom.

Lacerenza was charged with disorderly conduct on the basis that he was "in public view creating an offensive condition," police said.