PARK SLOPE — Some are calling him the “Park Slope Prowler.”
At least three women have been sexually groped near Prospect Park since Aug. 10, according to police, and residents worry the incidents may be escalating.
All the reported episodes took place near Prospect Park West, police said.
On Aug. 10 at about 11:45 p.m., a 39-year-old woman was in front of 495 Eighth St., about a block from the park, when an unknown man grabbed her buttocks and then fled westbound on Eighth Street. He is described as a male with a dark complexion, last seen wearing a black t-shirt.
On Aug. 13 at roughly 10:06 p.m., a 32-year-old woman was opposite 608 Fifth St., just across the street from the park, when a man forcibly touched her buttocks, police said. He fled westbound on Fifth Street. He is described as a male, approximately 5’ 10”, 160 lbs. with a light complexion, and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black pants.
On Wednesday, Aug. 14, just before 1 a.m., a 34-year-old woman was walking her dog in the vicinity of Prospect Park West and First Street when an unknown man came from behind and forcibly touched her groin and buttocks, police said. The individual fled westbound on Fifth Street. He is described as a male with a light complexion, and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black pants.
One reported groping incident took place on Prospect Park West and First Street on Aug. 14. Photo: Google Maps
One victim — whose account matches one of these police reports — posted on Reddit/Park Slope, “Women, please be careful in this area after dark. This incident felt violent and I believe his crimes will escalate.“
Another commenter on Reddit reached out to the Brooklyn Eagle. He said these attacks have apparently been going on for months, all within the same few blocks along Eighth Avenue and Prospect Park West.
Another commenter posted, “They appeared to start around April, when a peeping tom known as the Park Slope Prowler started masturbating in people’s windows. Then he escalated to following women at night, hiding behind cars and trees and then emerging to expose himself. Recently he’s escalated to full-on violence, jumping women and forcibly touching them. What’s next?”
Hanif asks for more patrols
Councilmember Shahana Hanif (D-Park Slope, Gowanus, Cobble Hill) said in a Sunday news-blast that she has asked the 78th Precinct to temporarily assign more patrols to the area.
“Over the last week, I have received extremely troubling reports of sexual assault and harassment affecting women in Park Slope,” she said. “My office has been actively engaging with local law enforcement and other elected officials to address these serious concerns. I have made sure that the NYPD’s 78th Precinct is aware of the issue and am working to understand the steps being taken to investigate and address them. As an immediate measure, I am advocating for the Precinct to strengthen patrols in the area, especially during the evening hours when these incidents have been most frequent.”
Hanif added, “If you encounter any such incidents or have concerns, please report them directly to 911. Your reports are crucial for prompt action and ensuring the safety of our community.”
There are no arrests and an investigation is ongoing, a police spokesperson told the Eagle.
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