NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans police are investigating two recent sex crime incidents reported in City Park, raising public safety concerns among park visitors.
Police reported that a woman was raped Monday night near Wisner Boulevard and Zachary Taylor Drive just after 9 p.m. The assault came a day after an attempted kidnapping in the park on Sunday morning.
In the Sunday incident, a woman was jogging around 11:30 a.m. when a man exited a vehicle, grabbed her, and groped her. She fought back, and the suspect fled the scene in a white and gold vehicle, police said.
NOPD Deputy Superintendent Ryan Lubrano stated that investigators do not currently believe the two incidents are related, but authorities are urging women to stay vigilant while jogging in the area as the investigation continues.
Here are some suggested safety tips for women traveling on foot or jogging by themselves from NOPD:
- Run with a buddy
- Always carry your phone
- Enable emergency features on your watch (if applicable)
- Stay aware of your surroundings
- Do not use earbuds or headphones
- Stick to populated areas
- Know the area for quick escape
- Ping your location to quickly share if necessary
- Take a self-defense class
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