The sexual assaults across Brooklyn have been particularly worrying to women in Park Slope, a neighborhood of soft brick hues and tree-lined streets that seems to be a focal point for the attacks.
“It’s really unsettling,” said Molly Balfe, who has lived in the neighborhood for seven years.
“It’s generally so safe and…there are many families here. I think that a lot of young, single women live here because they think that it’s safe…[but these attacks do] bring an element of danger to the neighborhood.”
As a student, Balfe said she enjoys going out at night every now and then, but because of the attacks she is taking more precautions. “I’m more careful and try to take the more populated routes home, [or] now I take the car service instead [because] it’s just not worth it.”
She feels that the police should increase their presence in the area, too.
Rosa, who declined out of caution to give her last name, has lived in Park Slope for over 60 years and said that it is young women who are especially concerned.
“You have so many young people…and now that it’s getting dark early, it’s getting even more dangerous for the young people, even for the old people” she said.
She called for more police, too, especially near subways. “I just think they need to be more vigilant,” she said.
Remembering a time when Park Slope was a safer place, where everyone looked out for one another, Rosa said that the attacks have affected the entire atmosphere of the area.
“I’ve been in Park Slope all my life…and I’ve never seen it this bad” she said. “Today is altogether different, and it’s sad.”
Female visitors to Park Slope are just as concerned. Heidi, who also declined to give her last name, said she has lived in Carroll Gardens for 14 years, and feels safer there. Encountered on Union Street in Park Slope, she said that she was troubled by the possibility of more attacks.
“I do see more police cars in the area but I still don’t think it’s safe,” she said, “because it’s still happening. I hope this doesn’t move into my neighborhood.”
An earlier story from The Brooklyn Ink highlighted that there have been at least 12 cases of sexual assaults in the Park Slope and neighboring regions since March. A Sunset Park man was arrested last week and for his alleged assault on an 18-year old woman.
Yesterday police released a 32-year-old man who was allegedly connected to one of the crimes.
According to a statement from The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information, the man was arrested Monday based on a police sketch. He was later chosen out of a line up as a person involved with the attacks, but police said the identification was later retracted.
Police said that the investigations continue.
You may also be interested in:
A map that outlines the rash of sexual assaults in Brooklyn, reactions from Sunset Park and Park Slope, a rape victim bravely speaks about her experience, recent arrests and a community march.
Do you have a story about the sexual assaults? Please share your thoughts at thebrooklynink(at)gmail(dot)com
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