Safe Slope, an organization dedicated to making the neighborhood safe after the string of eight sexual assaults in the area, will rally tomorrow in order to “Take back our streets.”
In addition to the rally, the community organization— formed to help bring awareness of the attacks and jumpstart resources in Sunset Park, Greenwood Heights, South Slope and Park Slope— has been working with businesses and local residents to organize “Safe Spaces” at establishments that are open late and a “Safe Walk” program, which will offer a volunteer-run program to walk people home who feel unsafe.
The rally, “Take Back Our Streets,” will start at tomorrow at 8 p.m.
Safe Slope is partnering with RightRides and the (CAE) for the event. CAE, along with Crossfit 718, are offering , sponsored by Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez, in response to the attacks in the area.
The rally will meet at the Prospect Avenue R train stop on Fourth Avenue and 17th Street– . Participants will march to Detective Joseph Mayrose Park, at 17th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues.
“People have had a really positive response,” said Liza Trinkle, a founder of the seven-member group formed this past August. “We all have full-time jobs, so this is all volunteer. We are certainly open to working with the police, and have talked to some officials, but we are community-based. We are trying to encourage people to speak out– this is about the community, not the organization.”
The rally will have a self-defense demonstration sponsored by the Center for Anti-Violence Education, and residents will have the opportunity to sign up for the being held in South Slope.
Councilmembers Sara Gonzalez, Brad Lander and Council Speaker Christine Quinn will also be attending for an open forum with the community. The rally will close with a candlilit vigil.
The first incident, on March 20 at 11:30 p.m., occurred on 16th Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues. A man grabbed a 24-year-old woman from behind and tried to rape her, but she was able to fight him off. The attack was caught on video.
With , the Safe Slope rally will be timely, allowing residents and neighbors to speak out and help create plans to keep the streets safe.
In June, three attacks were reported in the Green-Wood Cemetery area. Two of these occurred on 27th Street between Third Avenue and Green-Wood Cemetery, a few blocks from the 72nd Precinct.
According to officers of the 72nd Precinct, while they handed out fliers near the 25th Street R train subway station in Sunset Park earlier this summer warning neighbors, one of the 27th Street assaults was a rape. The perp trapped a woman in the stairwell of a building between Third Avenue and the Cemetery and raped her.
On September 2, there was as she exited the Prospoect Park R train subway station at 8:30 p.m.
More recently, there have been and 4, both involving violent sexual groping before the suspect fled, as reported by The Daily News.
Now cops are asking for the public's help in finding the suspect, described in the report as an Hispanic man between 25 and 30 years old, standing 5-feet-7 and weighing about 165 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers' website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577.All calls are strictly confidential.
