Hochul, James Silent After Fifth Central Park Rape as Election Nears
NYPD reports a 39-year-old woman was assaulted at knifepoint Saturday, a case critics say contrasts with the high-profile response to the Cornell fraternity trial.
By Marco Ortega ·
New York City’s top Democratic leaders have issued no public statement regarding a violent sexual assault in Central Park that occurred on Saturday evening.
The NYPD confirmed that a 39-year-old woman was raped by a stranger who threatened her with a knife near East 67th Street and East Drive at approximately 8:30 p.m. The victim was transported to a hospital and remains in stable condition. Police have not yet apprehended the suspect, who remains at large.
This incident marks the fifth reported rape in the Central Park precinct for the year, according to data provided to Fox News. Retired NYPD Inspector Paul Mauro noted that this specific location is adjacent to real estate valued at $10 million per unit, an area residents generally expect to feel secure. He contrasted the precinct's current statistics with the previous year, when only three rape cases were recorded in the same timeframe.
The silence from state leadership stands in contrast to their recent actions in a separate sexual assault case involving seven Cornell University fraternity members. In that matter, Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor and both officials held visible press conferences. Mauro argued that the difference in reaction is influenced by the proximity of local elections, which are less than ten days away.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin broke the silence on Monday with a post on X, describing the act as horrific and stating her hope for the survivor's full recovery. She wrote that every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in the city. The NYPD has opened an active investigation and requested tips via the Sex Crimes Hotline and Crime Stoppers, with a dedicated line for Spanish speakers.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the attack during a Monday morning news conference. He stated that his administration is working to support the survivor and is collaborating with city partners to strengthen prevention measures. Mamdani emphasized the goal of holding perpetrators accountable while prioritizing the needs of survivors in New York City.
Source: Fox News
