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Following Sexual Assaults, Cyclists Rally To Escort Park Slope Women Home
By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Sep 20, 2011
Modified Sep 20, 2011
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By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Sep 20, 2011
Modified Sep 20, 2011
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Following a string of sexual assaults that have left many South Brooklyn residents shaken, a group of Prospect Park area-cyclists are banding together to escort women home from the subway if they don't want to walk alone after dark.
Spearheaded by bike messenger Jay Ruiz, who was inspired by last week's Safe Slope rally, the Brooklyn Bike Patrol has been offering escorts since this weekend. "I feel like I have to do something," said Prospect Heights resident Ruiz, adding that "we just want the monsters to stop already." The BBP has about 10 volunteer members, stationed at five neighborhood subway stations, and will be available from roughly 8 p.m. to midnight every night. "The cops can't be everywhere," Ruiz said. "Just give us a call and we'll have someone there."
Since April, over half a dozen women have been attacked while walking in Park Slope, Sunset Park and Bay Ridge. Police believe there may be more than one perpetrator at work, and they have released several sketches of suspects. In addition to Ruiz's bike patrol, there Safe Slope is launching a Safe Walk program, and neighborhood residents are petitioning for free self-defense classes for women.
Ruiz is still looking for more volunteers and is in the process of getting "Brooklyn Bike Patrol" T-shirts donated by St. Francis Xavier for easier identification. Call 718-744-7592 or email Ruiz at [email protected] if you need an escort.
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brooklyn bike patrol
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park slope rapist
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sunset park rapist
Jamie Feldmar
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