Early this morning, we heard from a Lower East Side resident who said she was attacked last night by a group of teens in Corlears Hook Park.
Anna (last name withheld at her request) was walking her dogs near Jackson and Water streets at about 9:30 p.m. The longtime resident of Gouverneur Gardens heard screaming coming from inside the park, so she went to check it out. Behind the shuttered bath house, several teenagers were pushing a porta-potty on its side. They then began jumping on it. Most of them ran away when Anna approached, but one boy stayed behind.
When she asked him to stop “destroying property” and threatened to call police, Anna said the teen became belligerent. He punched the woman in the arm and she ended up on the ground. Then more kids arrived, Anna said, and began kicking her in the back, legs and on her head. After the teens fled, she yelled for help and someone called the cops. Anna, who happens to be an ER nurse, had blood coming from her neck and head. Paramedics treated her on the scene; she went to see a doctor today.
Anna was told that one suspect was arrested. We have contacted the 7th Precinct for more information. We also got in touch with Michael Marino, who heads Friends of Corlears Hook Park. While he’s never had a problem in the area at night, Marino said the porta-potty has been repeatedly knocked over and teens have vandalized several different sections of the park. Another woman was reportedly harassed by kids after yelling at them for climbing on batting cage fencing.
Anna would like to see stepped up patrols in the park. Marino said he has never spotted Park Enforcement Patrol officers in Corlears Hook at night. He also pointed out that the porta-potties could be moved altogether if the Parks Department finally fixes the dilapidated bathrooms in the park. $2 million was allocated for the project some time ago.
UPDATE 5:02 p.m. Police tell us a 16-year-old suspect has been charged with 3rd degree assault.
UPDATE 2/27 Michael Marino of Friends of Corlears Hook Park got in touch with Partnership for Parks. His contact there says William Castro, NYC Parks borough commissioner, spoke with the commanding officer at the 7th Precinct about the incident. Castro assigned Parks Enforcement Patrol officers to Corlears Hook for the next couple of evenings. The precinct also planned to step up patrols in the area.
A woman was raped a few months ago and now the police step up patrols. We need permanent patrols. She should have just called the cops and not engaged with the punks.
agree. this is a lesson for others. if you see something that people are doing that they are not supposed to be doing, do not confront them. you are putting yourself in danger. call people who are equipped to handle the situation.
i resisted commenting on the first post because i do feel bad for the woman who was trying to be a good citizen / good person who was taken advantage of. at least it wasn’t something worse. people kill over smaller things. use your head people. call the police.