Sunflowers – check, Pepsi Bottle – check, temporary lighting – check, …wait, is that a UFO?
Last night there was a Community Safety meeting held in light of the alleged rape/assault in Gantry Park recently, and here’s the big non-revelatory news that was delivered by Captain John Travaglia, head of the 108th Precinct: the Hunters Point sub-district is one of the safest sections in NYC, if not the country, if not the planet. More specifically, there is minimal serious crime, as measured by felonies, that has occurred here in recent years, and even less street crime – roughly described as that which doesn’t occur behind closed doors. Like I said, this should be non-revelatory to anyone who lives in HP.
As for the alleged incident in Gantry Park, Captain Travaglia stated that to date no victim has come forward. Furthermore, despite cutting back the grasses near the red Adirondack chairs and searching the area, the sole evidence they have is what’s been said on social media, implying that no other witnesses have filed reports/been found.
Ok, there’s not much to go on, which probably and sadly is the case with many alleged sexual assaults. And if as described this incident did occur, it sounds more like a one-off between two individuals who may have been acquainted with each other, rather than one of an endemic or sweeping crime problem in LIC as a whole (net of the ensuing fury and fusillade unleashed on social media). Yet here’s where the story gets interesting, and troublesome. Continue reading →
