Dems Silent on Central Park Rape; NYPD Seeks Suspect
As an investigation into a knifepoint sexual assault in Central Park continues, top New York Democrats have not commented on the incident, drawing contrasts with their response to a previous case.
A woman was sexually assaulted at knifepoint in New York City's Central Park on Saturday evening, and the suspect remains at large, according to the New York Police Department. The incident has led to criticism of prominent Democrats for their silence.
The 39-year-old victim was attacked around 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of East 67th Street and East Drive. The NYPD reported that this is the fifth rape in the Central Park Precinct this year, an increase from three cases by this time last year.
Paul Mauro, a retired NYPD inspector and Fox News Contributor, noted that the attack occurred in an affluent area of the city. He contrasted the silence of Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James on this incident with their swift public statements and actions in a separate rape case involving Cornell University fraternity members earlier this month. In the Cornell case, Hochul appointed James as a special prosecutor.
"Let something hit the news like the Cornell case and all of a sudden they’re all over the media and they’re on a soapbox and they’re holding press conferences," Mauro said, suggesting the timing, close to an election, may be a factor in the response.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the attack on Monday, stating that the city administration is committed to supporting the survivor and strengthening prevention efforts. "We are going to continue to work with survivors at large, as well as providers and city partners, to strengthen prevention and address gaps in support and to also hold perpetrators of sexual assault accountable and to ensure that this is a city that puts survivors' needs first," he said.
The victim was hospitalized and is in stable condition. The NYPD has released descriptions of the suspect and is seeking public assistance. Tips can be provided to the Sex Crimes Hotline, the Crime Stoppers Hotline, or submitted anonymously via the NYPD's website and X account. Mauro expressed concern about the rising crime statistics in the city, particularly in Central Park and on the subway, which he described as "bellwether metrics" that are "very much going in the wrong direction."