NYPD en Times Square.
Photo: Andrés Correa Guatarasma / Courtesy
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Sexual assaults in NYC increased 322% to add 38 cases during the week of March 29 to April 4, compared to the same period last year, as shown by data from the New York Police Department.
Even the week before, from March 22 to 28, there were 36 sexual assaults, equivalent to 125% more than the 16 reported the same week in 2020 when they began. pandemic closures. And in the previous one, sexual assaults shot up 94% from March 15 to 21, 2021, according to statistics from the New York Police Department.
The NYPD could not say if the alarming numbers are related to the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, but experts say this may be related to the arrival of a more pleasant climate and the expansion of capacity in bars and restaurants, variables that encourage people to go out.
“I don’t think this is a coincidence. People go back to going to bars and restaurants at 50% of their capacity ”, he commented to the New York Post Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant who teaches at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
“As New Yorkers get vaccinated and begin venturing into the bar and nightclub scene, just be careful of your surroundings and who you hang out with. Don’t let your guard down, don’t drink excessively and never leave a friend behind ”, recommended the expert.
There were 174 reported rapes in NYC from January 1 to April 4, 14 were committed by strangers and the vast majority (160) by “acquaintances”, which includes people who may have just met for the first time. Also the highest number (107) occurred since March 15.
“We remain in unprecedented times amid ongoing COVID-19 stresses. It is always preferable to view crime statistics over an extended period, to determine trends particularly during this ongoing pandemic, “said an NYPD spokeswoman. And he added that “So far this year, reports of rape have decreased by 13%. However, we recognize that rape is a crime that goes unreported and we encourage victims and survivors to always come forward ”.
I looked for help
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