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Three Women Assaulted by Teens on Central Park Drive

April 26, 2023 | 4:56 PM
in CRIME, NEWS
111

By Carol Tannenhauser

Three women, at least two from the Upper West Side, were separately assaulted by three teenagers on Citi Bikes while the women were running on the drives in Central Park. It happened on Wednesday at around 9 a.m., police said.

“A group of three Citi Bicyclists approached me as I ran northbound on the East Drive around 75th Street,” one of the women, 32, told the Rag. (She asked that her name not be used.) “They surrounded me with their bikes and shoved me forward to the ground,” she said. “They also crashed into me after pushing me, so one of the kids fell to the ground, too. Then they all rode off headed north.”

Two of the boys were Black, the woman said, and the third she didn’t see. “The cops are reviewing the security footage and hopefully they’ll find these kids,” she added. Meanwhile, she is nursing scrapes and bruises on her hands, knees, elbows, and arms, as well as emotional trauma.

“I run in the park every weekday morning and would consider myself pretty aware, so it was shocking,” she said. “I am a native Upper West Sider and have never felt violated like this…especially in the park.” She reported the incident to the Central Park precinct (at 86th Street in the park) and spent a few hours there “documenting,” as did one of the other women who was attacked on the East Drive at 71st Street, “also an Upper West Sider,” the woman reported. “She was struck on the head from behind.

“Anyhow,” she concluded. “I just think people should be aware of this as it was terrifying!”

No arrests have been made, police said. The investigation is ongoing.

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Dana
Dana
1 month ago

We need more police in the park. The violent incidents are increasing at all times, even busy mornings.

71
Reply
BillyZKidd
BillyZKidd
1 month ago
Reply to  Dana

Hate to say this but – warmer weather is here and summer is around the corner. These crimes will only get to be more and more. Unless the police get some of these young criminals, put them up to a trial, and give them stiff jail time, nothing will change. Of course, with our DA’s office, it won’t happen. Remember who to vote out come next election.

14
Reply
Leon
Leon
1 month ago

Lock the kids up and give their parents a penalty too. This was in broad daylight. Why weren’t they in school? Let’s put a little fear in other kids who are considering such behavior.

63
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D C
D C
1 month ago
Reply to  Leon

I was wondering why they weren’t in school, too.

11
Reply
Violet
Violet
1 month ago
Reply to  D C

Doesn’t shock me that such violent teenagers would skip school. Do they find it fun to attack people? So scary what has happened to our city.

15
Reply
Jay
Jay
1 month ago

Lyftbike looks better every day. /s

All the more reason that the bikes should have GPS tracking. Right that means Lyft would have to assure that the GPS system batteries are charged.

Also, on what grounds can teens rent these machines, the teens can’t sign a waiver absolving Lyft (the Citibike owner) of liability since they’re minors. What adults are signing the liability waivers?

13
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Mary Cait
Mary Cait
1 month ago
Reply to  Jay

I’ve seen kids ‘shake’ the bikes loose — they basically force/jerk them out of the docking station…

20
Reply
Jay
Jay
1 month ago
Reply to  Mary Cait

So that’s more liability for Lyfty/Citibike.

A jerk, perhaps a teen, just rode by me on the sidewalk on one of the heavier e versions, with ear buds in both ears.

Except for the illegal use of headphones, he wasn’t being especially irresponsible. Albeit, I was walking with my building neighbor and he uses a walking aid, so all that needed to happen for ^6it to go down is for something unpredicted by the rider which would make him swerve left. Hardly an unknown occurrence on the sidewalks of Manhattan.

Anyhow, this is at least the 2nd recentish assault in CP (or alleged assault since there’s no video) from a Lyft bike. The company has a problem.

6
Reply
Phoebe
Phoebe
1 month ago
Reply to  Mary Cait

And I’ve seen people take them into the subway. Why? Probably not to return them to a citibike rack across town.

7
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Max Honkidonk
Max Honkidonk
1 month ago

‘no arrests have been made’ sounds like the conclusion of the story, unfortunately. And even if it ended in an arrest (fat chance), they perpetrators will face no punishment and thus be free to harass women free from concern.

If you do not disincentivize this sort of thing, you get more of it. Simple.

68
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Sam Katz
Sam Katz
1 month ago
Reply to  Max Honkidonk

The cops almost ALWAYS catch perps, but the justice system is a revolving door. It has zero to do with policing, and everything to do with teens who have no morals.

12
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Carlos
Carlos
1 month ago
Reply to  Max Honkidonk

Give them a little time. As seen on WSR, the police actually have a pretty decent track record of making arrests.

I do completely agree with your skepticism about there being no meaningful punishment.

63
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Sue Timms
Sue Timms
1 month ago
Reply to  Carlos

Sure they do. They use cameras to find the perp. But there is ZERO crime PREVENTION anymore.

41
Reply
Lisa
Lisa
1 month ago
Reply to  Sue Timms

We’ll see cop cars parked around the lower loop for the next week — then they’ll go away.

8
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Philip
Philip
1 month ago

Where are these kids parents? Terrible for the women.

20
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Frank Grimes
Frank Grimes
1 month ago

This yellow police tape is popping up an awful lot on WSR these days. I must be “perceiving” a lot of crime that isn’t actually happening according to my elected leaders.

72
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denton
denton
1 month ago

Ya know, yesterday morning we were on the West Drive, we often enter at 69th Street and take a trip to Whole Foods. And we noticed something unusual. Two abandoned CitiBikes. Don’t remember where we saw the first… but the second was near the bathrooms inside the park by Columbus Circle. When crimes are committed, these kids often leave the park there, easy to jump on the A Train uptown or Brooklyn, or just about anywhere. What they fail to reckon with is that our good friend Donald Trump has installed excellent security cameras in his building across the street, and they often capture these clowns.

Meanwhile, it’s incredible that at this time of the morning, in this part of the park, no one saw anything. No cyclists, no peds, no dog walkers. Never mind getting involved, no one does that in this town. But no one could even discreetly call the cops?

I don’t know what this city is coming to…

26
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Phoebe
Phoebe
1 month ago
Reply to  denton

And I’ve seen citibikes lying on the side of the paths in Riverside Park. It’s not surprising to me anymore. Used to be shocked!

10
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Sarah Jane
Sarah Jane
29 days ago
Reply to  Phoebe

Usually the bikes abandoned in riverside are the electric ones. When they loose charge I think people just leave them where ever.

0
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Jules
Jules
1 month ago

I wonder what these monstrous teens are thinking about when they act in this aggressive way.? Also: “There are cameras all the way along the East Drive”.. including E.75th st? Did the kids know their interaction with the woman was being filmed and would be available to the police? And if this is in fact true, why wouldn’t the police make this information available to everyone in the park by putting up signs..It definitely should act as a deterrent.

18
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Carol
Carol
1 month ago
Reply to  Jules

According to criminologists, people who perpetrate this kind of predatory violence do so because they want to dominate and control others. They like that feeling of power over someone else.

6
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Joey
Joey
1 month ago

Similar to the “WILDING” of the ’80s and 90s

19
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Zachary Bloom
Zachary Bloom
1 month ago

So when is when neighbors? When will we elect an official that will follow through and crack down on crime. I’m so done with this “wokeness” I have never voted “R”, but I’m starting to think differently. Let’s drop the smokescreen and diversions about gender identity and reparations. Let’s focus on making our city safe again. Put criminals in jail and keep them there.

103
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Salil Seshadri
Salil Seshadri
28 days ago
Reply to  Zachary Bloom

Spot on!

1
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Vera
Vera
1 month ago
Reply to  Zachary Bloom

@Zachary Bloom This is a horrific experience and anyone perpetrating a crime like this needs to be punished. However, evidence shows that when kids or anyone else is imprisoned they come out hardened criminals. This isn’t Scandinavia where prisons are safe and rehabilitation oriented. Once these kids are in Rikers or anywhere in the system for that matter, they’ll be back perpetrating worse crimes. There has to be a way to administer punishment more effectively. American poverty not wokeness is the reason for many evils, especially in urban centers.

6
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Phoebe
Phoebe
27 days ago
Reply to  Vera

Make a deal. Finish school. Maybe go to college. Get a job. Stick with it for a year, have record expunged (if 17 and below when crime occurs.)
If over 18, get a job. Stick with it. Enroll in GED or college.
Either way, pay reparations or do community service.
Feeling sorry for them accomplishes the same thing as Rikers. More of the same.

0
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Oh Puhleeze
Oh Puhleeze
29 days ago
Reply to  Vera

So if not prison, what? Should we give them a free apartment and tell them how wonderful they are?
If they come out as hardened criminals, maybe they shouldn’t come out.

9
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MJB
MJB
1 month ago
Reply to  Vera

American poverty?!!! Seriously? These poor souls wearing $300 sneakers and $600 hoodies?

It is the culture, not poverty. The culture that looks down on honest day of work.

29
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mike
mike
1 month ago
Reply to  Vera

With all due respect, what do you base your assertion on? I went to a high school in NYC where 70% of us were immigrants, mostly of color, and most quite poor, yet we did not engage in crime. Instead we became doctors, lawyers, computer programmers, et all. Why? We had parents who cared. Poverty is not the determinant, parental involvement is.
If not jail, how do you suggest we punish these criminals so they don’t commit another crime?

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Zachary Bloom
Zachary Bloom
29 days ago
Reply to  mike

Amen brother.

5
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MJB
MJB
1 month ago
Reply to  Zachary Bloom

I would have loved to vote for a democrat who is tougher on crime, like Maria Danzilo who I respect. However I don’t think it is going to work as one person won’t make a difference. The entire NYS administration is very left-wing. Even Hochul couldn’t pass her version of bail reform repeal. So no, one party system won’t work, and moderate democrats will be shut up by the loud woke left-wingers. It also frightens me where we are heading on federal level. Biden/Harris team didn’t accomplish anything other than self-touted “legislative achievements” , which are what – letting trans women compete with biological women? Huge achievement that is. As far as the original claim of Build Back Better, there’s nothing built, not to mention better.

As much as it pains me I will vote Republican, for the reasons above. Once Dems realise they can’t run on empty slogans and ideology and will listen to their constituents, I will switch back.

64
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Janis
Janis
1 month ago
Reply to  MJB

MJB that’s exactly what happens. People get fed up because they see that the politicians they voted for don’t do a damn thing but pander to the far left. So enough people get fed up (see Giuliani’s terms) and the City is safe again. Then the voters figure it will always be that way, and go back to voting for the fools who ruin the City because “I could NEVER VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN.” And those same voters b*tch and moan about the crime, etc. once again.
To paraphrase: Those who refuse to remember the mistakes of the past are destined to repeat them.
You should never be embarrassed to vote in your best interest. If that means voting for a Republican, then dammit, vote for a Republican. The worst that can happen in this city is we’ll get some lower crime rates and a budget that doesn’t tax us into poverty

32
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Sam Katz
Sam Katz
1 month ago
Reply to  MJB

You are so wrong. There are plenty of law and order Democrats in NYC and State. I know, because I work for a police union and we endorse them. The federal government has nothing to do with this at all. It’s state laws that put people in prison, unless someone is committing a federal crime, and federal crimes are punished stiffly. Biden/Harris has accomplished quite a bit, but it has nothing to do with what is happening in this City. Failure to punish is on the NY State level. On the federal level, I would never vote, at this point, for a Republican, as the entire GOP platform is built on repression and oppression. The ONLY thing the GOP seems concerned about right now is shielding their creepy tax cheat, con man candidate, forcing women to bear children they don’t want (which amounts to sexual slavery), and oppressing kids who want to dress and behave in the gender they wish, which science and fashion has allowed people to do: it’s only the far right wing who has a problem with strangers doing their own thing — and for no other reason than homophobia. I wouldn’t vote for this sick, sack of lying fascists, Confederate flag waving book banners for anything. I would write in “Mickey Mouse” as my President first.

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Lisa
Lisa
1 month ago
Reply to  MJB

MJB, please don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Yes the pendulum has swung way to far in the wrong direction. Voting in a Conservative Democrat like Danzilo still makes sense/

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Jen
Jen
1 month ago
Reply to  Lisa

In other words give Dems another chance? Till when – till the city is burned to the ground? I’m done voting Dem. Even centrist Dems will now be swallowed by the very left.

23
Reply
MJB
MJB
1 month ago
Reply to  Lisa

We are not talking about perfection here. Basic constituents needs and concerns haven’t been heard and won’t be heard. I’m not going to wait till the party comes back to their senses as it is ridiculous. They need to see that they can be voted out.

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B.S. CUTTER
B.S. CUTTER
1 month ago
Reply to  MJB

Re: “Biden/Harris team didn’t accomplish anything other than self-touted “legislative achievements”
REALLY??? Please do a Web search for “what has Biden accomplished so far?” You’ll be quite astonished at the list that appears.
Here’s what The Atlantic (according to Britannica: “… one of the oldest and most-respected magazines in the United States”), wrote,:
“three enormous bills—the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, the roughly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law, and this summer’s climate-and-health spending bill—made Biden’s first two years among the most productive of any president in the past half century.

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Susan
Susan
29 days ago
Reply to  B.S. CUTTER

There’s some trolls on this comment line. Or they’re living in Texas and Idaho and writing here. What nonsense. The Republicans have taken away women’s rights and endangered their lives. There’s a travel advisory warning LGBT people to stay away from Florida. We have Republicans trying to cut Medicaid and forever wanting to privatize social security and Medicare. Please.

1
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Andrew
Andrew
1 month ago
Reply to  B.S. CUTTER

Theyve totally ruined this country.

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Pedestrian
Pedestrian
1 month ago
Reply to  B.S. CUTTER

And Trump accomplished a $1.5 trillion tax breaks mostly for the billionaires. Are you enjoying your second private jet.

Trump doesn’t care about crime in NYC nor do the rest of his crowd.

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MJB
MJB
1 month ago
Reply to  B.S. CUTTER

That’s what the magazine told you? You don’t see for yourself that the country is in debt and cant pay its bills. Yet it wants to fight foreign wars that it can’t afford and don’t have a clear benefit for the people. It made a joke out of women’s sports. Our border is wide open and unprotected. Criminals are not prosecuted. Living standards are declining from reckless Fed policy and govt spending. Education is down due to misguided equity policies and our students are no longer intellectually competitive on the world stage.

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Salil Seshadri
Salil Seshadri
28 days ago
Reply to  MJB

Well said!

1
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Susan
Susan
29 days ago
Reply to  MJB

Have you really analyzed why??? You can thank the Republican’s – just look at the bills they had passed, the ridiculous economic plans they have put forward, the debt they have gotten us into, Don’t just groan…Read, learn, find out the truth for yourself – which you will never do listening to Fox news…

0
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Peter
Peter
1 month ago
Reply to  B.S. CUTTER

So, you live better today? Your children will live better? Your grandchildren?

Printing money for nonsensical “bills” is not an accomplishment – especially when noone can define a measurable outcome today. Except the inflation we’re fighting and the enormous debts our children’s grandchildren will have to be paying.

46
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El Crip
El Crip
29 days ago
Reply to  Peter

Re: “So, you live better today? Your children will live better? Your grandchildren?”
YES, YES, and YES:
1. Spouse and self, both retired NYC educators, livea nice middle-class life thanks to pensions and tax-deferred annuities negotiated by our respective UNIONS (UFT and CSA);
2. Our daughter and husband, both professional journalists, live well in a rather pricey suburb of Washington, D.C.;
3. And the grandkids, both in public schools, will probably do as well or even better.

0
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Sam Katz
Sam Katz
1 month ago
Reply to  Peter

Well, if you don’t deal with climate change, you won’t have any living children or grandchildren. And it was TRUMP who caused the pandemic shut down because he had disbanded the pandemic team, and he didn’t take the virus seriously. Biden INHERITED Trump’s massive debt, by the way. Look it up.

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Peter
Peter
1 month ago
Reply to  Sam Katz

Lol, sure, let’s go with that.

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Reply
Dana
Dana
1 month ago
Reply to  B.S. CUTTER

“Most productive or any presidents in the last half century “ – I can’t stop laughing. These buzz words make their “accomplishments “ even more pathetic.

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Reply
Sam Katz
Sam Katz
1 month ago
Reply to  Dana

That’s because you don’t know much about what is going on. This was INHERITED from Trump. Look up “COVID” and “Trump National debt.” If you are going to blame someone, blame the RIGHT someone.
https://www.propublica.org/article/national-debt-trump

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mike
mike
1 month ago
Reply to  Sam Katz

Was it Trump who decided to send third round of stimulus checks and Inflation reduction act that sent inflation through the roof? Actually it was Biden. Larry Summers, Clinton’s Treasury Secretary warned Biden that monstrous inflation will be the consequence of his policies, and did Biden listen?

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Reply
Dana
Dana
1 month ago
Reply to  Sam Katz

Sam, with all due respect don’t lecture others if you don’t agree with something . I have done plenty of research to come to this conclusion.

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D M
D M
1 month ago
Reply to  Zachary Bloom

I’m also fed up with all these gender identity and social justice politics that in my opinion only serve as a distraction from major issues we are facing. Very easy to pick these topics and yell “bigot, racist” when you question crime and inflation.

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Sam Katz
Sam Katz
1 month ago
Reply to  D M

Oh, horrors! YOU are fed up with other people’s genders, so you will blame them for totally unrelated crime issues? Gender identity is NOT a problem for anyone, except for people who are making it a problem! It wouldn’t BE any problem if the right wing would just leave people alone! See how that works? It has NOTHING to do with crime, so maybe you should focus on crime.

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UWS-er
UWS-er
1 month ago
Reply to  D M

Gender identity and social justice politics ARE a distraction from real issues. That’s why Republicans are constantly ranting about them. They have no solutions to real problems.

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good humor
good humor
1 month ago
Reply to  Zachary Bloom

WSR comment sections are full of “i’m a life-long D, but I just might vote R”.

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Carlos
Carlos
1 month ago
Reply to  Zachary Bloom

I agree with you. But I also think there are a lot of us lifelong D’s who also want to crack down on crime rather than acting like it isn’t happening. The comments section of WSR is proof! Maria Danzilo is one. We need to get Maria or a similar candidate to run and support them like our lives depend on it (because they do).

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UWS resident not represented
UWS resident not represented
1 month ago
Reply to  Carlos

People need to look up Diane di Stasio. She is running against Gale Brewer – thank God. Moderate, working single mother who is public safety focused. I would hope it’s time to spread the word and finally make a choice of safety for this neighborhood. Can we just vote smart and common sense? Pay attention to what people stand for on all fronts. Ask her questions so you know where she stands. She is our best hope for November and thank God there is hope.

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Peggy
Peggy
1 month ago
Reply to  Carlos

Be careful what you wish for. Many people in the current Republican Party only care about what they can enforce that put restrictions on the lives of Americans. What are they doing about filling jobs, rebuilding the infrastructure of the country, education (putting 15year olds to work), healthcare, seniors, the poor and the needy?
You can give it a name, fascism. Don’t forget who the bullies are coming for next.

1
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Alan Sperber
Alan Sperber
1 month ago
Reply to  Carlos

Maria Danzilo did run, against Brad Hoylman-Sigal for State Senate last November on an anti-crime platform and got about ten percent of the votes against a candidate who called for defunding the police. New Yorkers get what they vote for.

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Dana
Dana
1 month ago
Reply to  Zachary Bloom

Same here. It is not switching to R for me as I’m strongly anti-gun and pro-choice. It is enough with ideology already, make my city safe. And the country normal. I will vote depending on a candidate.

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Bill Pearlman
Bill Pearlman
28 days ago
Reply to  Dana

No your not. You just said you will never vote for a Republican. If you had Diane Stasio has your city council rep ( the choice this November, instead of Gale Brewer) then these three criminals would face consequences. But you won’t. Btw. Gun prosecutions have cratered under Bragg. So don’t pretend you care about gun crimes. Lastly, Diane is pro choice. . And that’s codified into NY state law. Not a relevant issue in a city council race.

1
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Zachary Bloom
Zachary Bloom
29 days ago
Reply to  Dana

Couldn’t agree more! Any candidate/any party that will get this city back in order.
The media has been so successful in polarizing us, when I believe we all see things quite similarly when it comes to the fundamentals. Crime, taxes, cost of living, etc.
I don’t care what color, religion, age, sexual preference, gender identity, political affiliation, etc. We all need to speak up together, as a big, diverse group of NYers, and let the officials that WE HIRED know, we are done with them allowing this city decline. Where there is crime, there must be punishment. It is as basic as that.
Does it work 100% of the time? No. Does it work most of the time? Yes. . . . and that’s much better than where we are now.

5
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MJB
MJB
1 month ago

It all comes down to the same thing – no liability and no consequences. My condolences to the women, that is definitely scarring.

Who should we held responsible? Will the teens be held responsible other than “don’t do it again” reprimand? A lot of commentators call for their parents be responsible but that’s not how it works, so let’s be realistic.

We shouldn’t be afraid to walk in our parks or on our streets, but that’s what it is right now.

Is there an attorney here who can point out how criminal liability should be enforced? Can we sue the city or our soft on crime politicians?

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Asil
Asil
1 month ago

I have been living on the UWS since 1992. Today, I was feeling really sad. The sidewalks are full of homeless people that should have better care. There are scooters, mopeds, e-bikes on all the sidewalks. On the trains, more desperation. I can’t walk one block without seeing such desperation, unsafe conditions. I am scared to death to walk the sidewalks, cross the street, ride the subway. It’s very crazy right now. There is no where for people that just want to walk from their apartments to anywhere safely. And the constant fear of getting pushed, clobbered, robbed, and much worse unfortunately. The bodega on my block now closes at midnight. You know something is wrong when that happens.

67
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Roxy
Roxy
1 month ago
Reply to  Asil

As a 40-year resident I completely agree. There were always some street people but not the permanent encampments that are allowed to fester for months on end. Try walking on the west side of Broadway between 110th and 111th. A couple of junkies (yes, that’s what they are) who have been living in filth and begging for months. Zombie scaffolding. A year-round fruit stand that is not always active. E-bikes chained to said scaffolding while their owners hang out in 5 Guys. All within steps of the only entrance to the downtown #1. It’s quite the circus and obstacle course. I’m an able-bodied person, can’t imagine what this is like for those who are not. Complaints to our elected officials are met with rubber stamp responses and no action.

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Dana
Dana
1 month ago
Reply to  Asil

The sad thing is that this deterioration happened very quickly. Only a few years ago it was a happy safe place.

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Janis
Janis
1 month ago
Reply to  Dana

And what happened “only a few years ago?” Oh, yeah DiBlasio and Adams.

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CardiZ
CardiZ
1 month ago
Reply to  Dana

Not safe. Paradise. This city was wonderful. All it took was DeBlasio and the January 2020 bail reform bill to turn this city into CRIME RIDDEN FILTH.

57
Reply
neighbor785
neighbor785
29 days ago
Reply to  CardiZ

Bail reform has been a problem. Albany supposedly has walked back some of it, giving judges more leeway.

It may be that the worst problem driving many of the others (in addition to lax enforcement etc.) is lack of housing.

1
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Pat W
Pat W
1 month ago
Reply to  CardiZ

Bail reform wasn’t the problem. The problem is poverty and desperation — and total respect for authority.

1
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Jay
Jay
1 month ago
Reply to  Dana

I’ve lived in the neighborhood (West 70s) for 10 years and things feel the same to me. Not trying to dismiss anyone’s concerns about safety – just find it interesting how different our experiences are.

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Steve
Steve
1 month ago
Reply to  Jay

The people here don’t want you to believe your own eyes, they’re anonymous fascists that probably don’t even live in the neighborhood. They should move to red states where crime is much worse, life expectancy is short, books are banned, assault weapons are bought with zero regulations, children are murdered in their classrooms, Women have no rights over their own bodies, Teachers are demonized, Being gay isn’t something you can talk about. On and on. This is their vision for NYC so they do what fascists have always done, they sow fear, they gaslight, they lie. They learned all this from watching Fox news and reading the NY Post. They think Hunter Biden is a major criminal but TFG is being persecuted. They are too stupid to understand they’re being brainwashed.so brainwashed that when they were unvaxxed and dying from Covid they still thought it was a hoax.
Pay them no mind, you can’t have a rational discussion with cult members.
Just enjoy life in our beautiful amazing neighborhood and let them wallow in their fear and hatred.

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Jay, different one
Jay, different one
1 month ago
Reply to  Jay

Things just aren’t the same as they were 15 years ago.

it was bad in the later Bloomberg years too.

0
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Katherine
Katherine
1 month ago
Reply to  Jay

Presumably,you, Jay, are a man. And the person you are responding to, Dana, is a woman. Your experiences will not be the same with crime and safety. Ever.

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good humor
good humor
1 month ago
Reply to  Jay

A lot of it depends on: your specific block, the time of day/week you are outside, whether you take the bus or subway, and your level of privilege, etc.

Each person’s experience will be different.

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Carol
Carol
28 days ago
Reply to  good humor

I agree @good humor. Experiences can be wildly different based on the block or type of transportation.

After I was followed and threatened by a stranger on Broadway last year (also in broad daylight), I stopped walking on Broadway above 70th at any time of the day. Now I walk parallel on Amsterdam or Columbus. There are fewer homeless people of questionable folks yelling at the world on Columbus and Amsterdam.

My husband, who was a kid here in the 1970s, says that Amsterdam used to be the street to avoid.

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MJB
MJB
1 month ago
Reply to  good humor

Love the comment. No putting down the other person’s experience. Just explaining how different people react to different things.

None of the “you are wrong”, “educate yourself”, “move to the suburbs”, not to mention habitual labelling and name calling that is way to common on this site.

Last edited 1 month ago by MJB
5
Reply
Brandon
Brandon
29 days ago
Reply to  MJB

If it’s “way too common,” I mean, you’re not exactly an idle bystander when it comes to condescension and shouting people down in the comment sections around here.

0
Reply
Sue Timms
Sue Timms
1 month ago
Reply to  Jay

You showed up with the disastrous De Blasio

40
Reply
Ned L
Ned L
1 month ago

Any statements from Brewer or Rosenthal? Doubtful.

37
Reply
Phiil
Phiil
1 month ago

I think I saw these kids riding down Amsterdam and 11th on Citi bikes this afternoon. Check cameras in the vicinity

3
Reply
Joanne
Joanne
1 month ago

Wasn’t the whole point of Citibikes to provide transportation not easily provided by public transportation? Instead we have criminals engaging in violent attacks, and tourists crowding bike lines and riding dangerously.

8
Reply
Sue Timms
Sue Timms
1 month ago
Reply to  Joanne

Citibikes and evehicles weaponize hoods

37
Reply
Phoebe
Phoebe
29 days ago
Reply to  Sue Timms

And soon we’ll be seeing them on the subway!

0
Reply
Sue Timms
Sue Timms
1 month ago

They know nothing will happen to them. The Adams agenda.

41
Reply
Dani
Dani
1 month ago
Reply to  Sue Timms

Isn’t D.A. Bragg more to blame?

41
Reply
D C
D C
1 month ago

It’s incidents like this that make me wonder if it makes sense to grow old here, particularly as a woman. That, and the expense.

44
Reply
yoyomama
yoyomama
1 month ago

Where was the third incident? One was East Drive + 75th…Another was East Drive and 71st … no mention of #3.

A map would be great. What’s the nearest landmark?

I fully agree. We need more cops VISIBLE in the park. The only times I ever see them are on the occasional afternoon — always in a car, kicking up dust on dry days.

Also, for those of us who don’t take phones into the park… it’s impossible to know where the emergency boxes are. WSR – do you have a map? Might be useful to post. Also, does anyone know if they actually work? Are they ever tested?

Thank you!

10
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Alf
Alf
1 month ago
Reply to  yoyomama

You make very good points!

1
Reply
Cita
Cita
1 month ago

Why am I not surprised that this has happened? The UWS continues to delve into chaos and crime. I still haven’t forgotten what happened to Tessa Majors.

44
Reply
Geography Matters
Geography Matters
28 days ago
Reply to  Cita

Re: “The UWS continues to delve into chaos and crime. I still haven’t forgotten what happened to Tessa Majors.”
Yes, what happened to Ms. Majors was an outrageous tragedy !
BUT it did NOT happen on the UWS ! It happened in Morningside Park, whose southern boundary ENDS at W. 110th Street…the northern boundary of the UWS.
MORE proof: the stairway on which she was stabbed leads up to 116th Street, way above the UWS.

0
Reply
Steph
Steph
1 month ago
Reply to  Cita

I haven’t forgotten either. That poor girl. And Columbia University one of the most prestigious and wealthiest schools in the world did NOTHING. Literally NOTHING to help with crime in that area – HARLEM. We begged them to amp up their security with actual security guards who were trained. We begged them to amp up the amount of security they had surrounding that park and NOTHING.

9
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Bill Pearlman
Bill Pearlman
1 month ago

Diane Stasio will be on the ballot this November. Running against Gale Brewer. 6th city council seat. Republican candidate. Send a message.

21
Reply
Leon
Leon
1 month ago
Reply to  Bill Pearlman

She needs to get her name out there. Maria Danzilo was an excellent candidate but beyond highly informed voters, no one knew who she was. I bumped into a friend walking out of our polling place and they had just voted for Hoylman because they didn’t know better. Spread the word for Di Stasio. All over the district. Too much inertia and voting for the name people know.

5
Reply
UWS resident not represented
UWS resident not represented
1 month ago
Reply to  Bill Pearlman

It’s actually Diane di Stasio and I am so glad someone else brought her up. She is moderate and has common sense. She needs a chance.

8
Reply
Mark Reay
Mark Reay
1 month ago

2 months ago while riding my bike just north of The Met, a group of 5 black teens on motorized bikes harassed me (slightly) but they did surround and hit an Asian woman on a bike and I escorted her out of the park. I carry a small can of deterrent spray now (even hairspray can be effective). Also beware of the hill at the north end.

23
Reply
UWS resident not represented
UWS resident not represented
1 month ago
Reply to  Mark Reay

I used to run in the park by myself during the day along the hill at north end. Always such a nice run and peaceful. This was only 5 years ago. I am incredibly sad that our park is now a place to be frightened in .

9
Reply
Marc
Marc
1 month ago

I would thinks that the police should be able to track who rented the Citi bikes

1
Reply
Alf
Alf
1 month ago
Reply to  Marc

Yes, every strategy contributes. Re: tracing bike rentals, Mary Cait says that she has “seen kids ‘shake’ the bikes loose — they basically force/jerk them out of the docking station.” Working cameras at EVERY e-bike rack, and stronger docking, could help.. The assailants also often have their faces covered, another challenge to tracing.

yoyomama [sic] has good suggestions about increased, real cop visibility, and providing park emergency boxes and maps. Granted, this helps the crime survivors; assailants are determined to attack, regardless. They likely don’t read well or pay attention to signs, but perhaps many more conspicuous “This area is under police surveillance 24/7” or graphics of “eyes and cameras” signs by the roads could be posted. Kind of detracts from the pleasure of being in the parks — but so does being attacked.

Last edited 1 month ago by Alf
1
Reply
Cathy
Cathy
1 month ago

Call your state assembly leader and express your concerns on Age and bail laws.

4
Reply
Dana
Dana
1 month ago
Reply to  Cathy

Hochul couldn’t make it go through because of the rest of the state administration. No use to call.

12
Reply
UWS Lady
UWS Lady
1 month ago

I believe I saw the same 3 teens on Citi bikes this afternoon before 4pm — they were riding ON the sidewalk on Amsterdam Ave on the high 60s laughing at pedestrians and looking for trouble. I sprinted across the street to avoid them when the first one looked right at me and then they must have turned around 68th street because I saw them again going up Broadway

3
Reply
DJP
DJP
1 month ago

9am? Why didnt anyone step in and help this woman??? Kicking the shit out of these little bastards may make them think twice….we have turned into a society of cowards who’s idea of stepping up is taking out the phone and filming it….

9
Reply
mike
mike
1 month ago
Reply to  DJP

Because Democrats do not allow law abiding citizens to carry guns. What do you think would happen if normal, law abiding citizens (who do not have psychiatric issues) are allowed to carry guns? You think these punks would dare to attack a woman, an old man, if they knew that they would be able to fight back? For some reason, I do not hear about 6 feet 6 inches 300 pounds 25 year olds being attacked. Why? The punks are afraid of someone who can fight back, so let’s equalize that fight

9
Reply
DJP
DJP
29 days ago
Reply to  mike

Why do you need a gun? There are these things at the end of you arms called fists….I am suggesting using them. Guns are part of the problem, not the solution.

0
Reply
mike
mike
28 days ago
Reply to  DJP

I would like to see you against three twenty year old guys when you are 80 years old and your wife/sister/daughter against three guys and I wonder whether you’d still bet on your fists!

2
Reply
UWS-er
UWS-er
29 days ago
Reply to  mike

Lol, sure, nothing could go wrong if everyone just carried guns.

2
Reply
The Truth
The Truth
29 days ago

Raise the Age and No Bail laws virtually guarantee many more of these incidents. It will take a death for the legislators in power now to even raise an eyebrow…and not even confident that will change these insane laws that incentivize teenagers to go wild. We tolerate too much vile and dangerous behavior and we shrug it off until it hits home. Not all of us, but apparently the majority as we vote these things into existence. These kids know our DA has their back so they are free to stop short of killing and they will suffer no consequences.

Last edited 29 days ago by The Truth
11
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Zachary Bloom
Zachary Bloom
29 days ago

Doesn’t Gale Brewer (and other District officials) live right here? Do they shop where we shop? Do they walk where we walk? I realize Adams is isolated and not in the trenches, but these others? How do they not see what is happening to this neighborhood? To their neighbors? I just can’t imagine they are blind to this.

3
Reply
UWS resident not represented
UWS resident not represented
29 days ago
Reply to  Zachary Bloom

They absolutely see it but will never admit their policies are failures. The only thing that will change this city is to vote them out with people who are committed to public safety and acknowledge the work that needs to be done to get us back on track.

8
Reply
Imelda G.
Imelda G.
29 days ago

Who’s responsible for teaching children values? To me that is the question. Prison isnt the answer but how do kids learn right and wrong so they can live productive and independent lives? We can create tax funded programs ad infinitum but who is responsible for this? Otherwise, its money down the drain. Education is usually the ticket to opportunity. So who determines the value of education over other choices? Role Models? Family structure? Who assumes this behavior is OK and where does it get modeled?

2
Reply

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