Latest in 'upskirting' grates on me

Yesterday I slipped on a rain-covered grate while walking briskly down a crowded San Francisco street. I was humiliated, but also thankful that I narrowly escaped injury.

Now, however, I have more to worry about as far as street grates are concerned.

A New York Times story published Thursday details a new twist on the high-tech voyeurism known as "upskirting." Someone placed a hidden camera below a street grate in New York City's Upper East Side, apparently to look up the skirts of women walking past.

One of the latest affronts to women, upskirting is more typically done by individuals who carry portable cameras in bags and film women under their skirts and dresses. They might then broadcast the footage on the Internet or through cell phones--there are even upskirting Web sites.

As a pedestrian, I'm already wary of erratic drivers, pickpockets and other questionable characters who enliven our beloved city's streets. Guess I'll have to look out for grates, too.