Fear remains over serial rapist(s)

“I’m worried because I could be walking down the street and he could just take me and he could rape me,” said 42-year-old Queens Village resident Alicia, who refused to give her last name.
Alicia was referring to the rapist(s) allegedly responsible for more than a dozen sexual attacks in the southeast Queens area since November of last year.
And though the rash of rapes seems to have abated in the last few weeks, female residents are nonetheless fearful.
“Be aware of your surroundings,” advised Betty Miller, 48, who lives and works in Jamaica.
On Saturday, September 21, residents gathered for a “Walk Against Rape,” aimed at raising awareness of the threat.
“We are still working with the Police Department diligently,” said Councilmember Leroy Comrie, who represents the area where many of the attacks have occurred. “We are in constant contact and they are in full manpower.”
In August, an NYPD task force was created — 13 cops who report directly to Chief Thomas V. Dale, head of Patrol Borough Queens South, and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, and who focus on the areas of the attacks – within the 103rd, 105th and 113th Precincts, according to reports – and will operate until the perps are arrested.
“It’s not an easy thing to do [to catch the rapists]. It’s a wide area. They’re probably in hiding with all the attention,” said Comrie. “But we have to push for a permanent police increase in this area,” Comrie added, urging the community to stay vigilant.
“Someone has to have seen something. I don’t know if they are afraid to speak up,” said Miller. “But they will be caught because they’re going to make one mistake and they’ll get caught.”
“In the meantime, the ladies have to take care of themselves,” said a 70-year-old resident of Jamaica who refused to give her name. She urged women to take precautions, such as having an escort when traveling at night.