The measure, introduced by Vallone (D- Astoria), came in the wake of reports that public lewdness has increased nearly 25 percent over the past year, prompting public officials to petition Albany to charge repeat offenders with a felony under a new law.

Although arrests for flashing have remained relatively constant in recent years, Karen Agnifila, general counsel to the city Criminal Justice Coordinator told the committee, between 2005 and 2006 the number skyrocketed from 408 to 506.

Vallone's bill would raise public lewdness from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor, raising maximum penalties from three months in prison and a $500 fine to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Vallone also introduced a resolution asking the state legislature to add serial offenders and those who flash at children to the sex offense registry.

"If these perverts want attention, if they want someone to watch them, that's just what we'll do," Vallone declared.

"The authorities will be happy to keep an eye on them and alert their neighbors that they live nearby," Vallone added. "Our mothers and daughters should not have to suffer so a pervert can get his fix."

At the City Hall hearing last Wednesday, Thao Nguyen, a victim of a pervert who exposed himself to her, testified she surprised the alleged perpetrator by taking his picture with her cellphone camera.

Despite being traumatized by the incident, she said, she pursued the violator by summoning police and posting the perp's picture on the Internet.

Because of Nguyen's brave efforts, restaurateur Dan Hoyt later turned himself in to police, but because of the existing law, Hoyt did not serve any jail time.

Nguyen, fighting back tears as she related her story, stated: "It feels like someone violated you when this happens. If we don't stop these sickos, these guys could go out and rape or sexually assault women."

Vallone said recently there have been several incidents near schools, which have elicited concern from parents, school administrators and teachers and public officials.

In one incident last February, a man who was not apprehended exposed himself to two children, 9 and 11 years old, ran away and then raped a small girl several blocks away, he said.

Vallone said prosecutors have been reluctant to increase penalties for lewdness. However, he and others feel now is the time to join many other states that have taken more aggressive steps to stop the worst of these offenders.