The condom controversy

Any hopeful valentines buying condoms at the CVS on 149th Street near Morris Avenue in the Bronx have to ask an employee to unlock the cabinet where they’re kept. 
 
“They’re high-theft items,” said a store manager, who declined to give his name. 

A coalition of union organizers and activists wants the store’s condoms freed, accusing the chain of locking up prophylactics in poor and minority communities where HIV rates are higher. They rallied outside some CVS stores nationwide on Thursday. 

On the surrounding South Bronx streets no one seemed to mind the locks, unless they were easily embarrassed. 

“Some people don’t like to ask for them ... especially if you’re with a girl,” said Angel Patterson, a local barber.

At the What’s Hot barbershop across from CVS they give out official “NYC” condoms they get at Lincoln hospital. Patterson, 28, buys his at a bodega. The city’s brand “are not good quality-wise or size-wise,” he said.

Amy Zimmer