Cops step-up manhunt for pair of rapists

With fear running rampant - and a pair of sexual predators still on the loose in southeast Queens, the New York Police Department (NYPD) is stepping up its efforts to keep women safe.
Police officers now patrol bus stops, such as the Q85, Q6 and Q5 - the scenes of numerous attacks or attempted attacks - and actually get on certain buses to check on passengers and distribute sketches of the suspects. In addition, cops now follow the buses along their routes, according to Thomas V. Dale, Chief, Patrol Borough Queens South.
The latest in the string of sexual assaults reportedly occurred on Friday, August 1 on 145th Street, when an 18-year-old woman was slashed on the hand after fighting off her attacker. Police are linking this incident to at least four others at bus stops since July.
On that same day, the local community gave the police a one-week deadline to catch the criminals; if not, local politicians will seek help from state troopers and the National Guard, according to Senator Malcolm Smith.
“It’s obvious there’s a serious crisis,” Smith said, referring to the fact that there have been 12 attacks in the Jamaica area — four rapes and eight sodomies, he said — during the past nine months. “We are giving our law enforcement one week. Then we’ll take matters to another level. Be assured that we will [have] state troopers, be assured that we will [have] the National Guard.”
Authorities have DNA from the suspects but the police don’t have a match yet, Smith said. There’s a $12,000 reward for anyone with information that can help capture the suspects, he added.
The senator said that aside from the police, the clergy needs to get involved by making announcements during Sunday services to increase community awareness. Smith also encouraged residents to use their cell phone cameras to take photos of suspicious activities.
“If this was in Manhattan, there would have been an outcry after the first incident,” said Reverend Floyd Flake, pastor of The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral in Jamaica.
“There’s definitely a sense of fear that’s permeating the neighborhood,” said Dianne Glass, director of Women’s Info Network, a community organization based in St. Albans.
Police are urging that everyone be aware and that anyone with information call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
With additional reporting by Yaldaz Sadakova