As reported by DNAinfo, a female Harlem resident was sexually assaulted in Morningside Park during the early evening this past Sunday. The incident happened around 6pm and police are currently interviewing witnesses. As Brad Taylor, a board member for the group Friends of Morningside Park observes, the attack “was alarming because it occurred while it was still light outside.”

The suspect is described as a black man in his 20s who is roughly 5’8″ tall, and was reported to be wearing jeans, a black skull cap, and a dark hooded sweatshirt at the time of the incident. The New York Post has a surveillance video of the perpetrator.

Bwog urges you all to be cautious as you travel about the city. Morningside Heights is a safe place, but as is true in any urban environment, it’s always necessary to keep an eye on your surroundings, especially when traveling alone. If you ever suspect danger, there are lots of options to protect yourself:

  • If there is an immediate threat, call Public Safety at 212-854-5555, or the NYPD at 911
  • Be familiar with the locations of the emergency call boxes
  • If you feel unsafe walking, take the evening shuttle or call the escort service at 212-854-SAFE