Call for more security following Hudson River Park rape - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Call for more security following Hudson River Park rape

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The NYPD arrested a convicted sex offender in connection with the rape of a young woman in Hudson River Park.

The suspect is identified by the Associated Press as Jonathan Stewart who was recently off parole.

Investigators say the 21-year-old woman was sitting on a bench near the river around dawn on Saturday when a man tried to strangle her before pulling her into the bushes. 

The woman ran towards a Parks Dept. officer who wrapped her in a blanket, according to police.

Stewart is charged with rape, sex abuse, assault and forcible touching.

City leaders and outraged residents gathered Sunday and again Monday at the site of the violent sexual attack, the second in a city park in just a few weeks and the first on record at Hudson River Park.

"This is the only rape we have on record in Hudson River Park. We simply cannot have a city where women and young girls worry that if they walk down the street or in a park – they could be the victim of a sexual attack or a victim of violence," said Speaker Quinn.

Quinn said there will be a self-defense training class in the park in a few weeks.

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