Following the horrific sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in Kissena Corridor Park, Councilmember Sandra Ung convened a meeting with local elected officials and representatives from various city agencies to discuss ways to improve public safety in the park.
Some of the measures discussed include increased police patrols, fast-tracking capital improvement projects intended to make the park more vibrant, additional NYPD cameras around the park, and emergency call buttons along secluded trails.
“This horrific sexual assault highlights the urgent need for action, but the truth is that Kissena Corridor Park has a well-documented history of violent crime, and now it is up to us to find solutions to this long-standing problem,” said Councilmember Sandra Ung. “These include fast-tracking projects to expand the Eastern Queens Greenway through the park, which both the mayor and I have made a priority in our budget allocations, improving lighting, and increasing police patrols. Within hours of obtaining an image of the suspect in last month’s attack, the police made an arrest. While additional cameras in the park wouldn’t have necessarily prevented that crime, they may have led to a quicker arrest and saved this community days of unnecessary anxiety dreading the attacker may strike again. That’s why I am urging the city to install some of the NYPD ARGUS cameras I have funded in the last two budget cycles in areas around the park.”
State Senator John Liu said, “Kissena Corridor Park is a popular community park with ball fields, playgrounds and winding pathways dissecting wooded, secluded areas that have unfortunately been the scene of many crimes over the years. This recent sexual assault is just the latest example of why the city needs to prioritize these areas with safety improvements. Adding patrols, improving lighting and installing cameras will help act as a deterrent to potential crimes, expedite responses if incidents occur, and help set our community at ease.”
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) said, “Due to the recent tragedy at Kissena Corridor Park and ongoing need for increased public safety measures in the park, immediate evacuation action is needed to protect our community, including expediting essential infrastructure projects and increasing law enforcement presence in these areas. As concerned elected officials, we are dedicated to finding effective solutions, and working to implement these crucial improvements so that our parks remain safe for all. ”
Assemblyman Ron Kim said, “Kissena Corridor Park has always been a recreational oasis for many of our constituents, especially parents and children. With this recent heinous attack, more and more families are understandably concerned about the safety and security of Kissena Corridor Park. I join my colleagues in calling on the mayor to provide an increased law enforcement presence, improved lighting, and fast-tracked essential infrastructure projects to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all of our residents.”
Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Queens) said “We must never take a back seat to safety. We have to do all we can to keep our constituents out of harm’s way and that includes ensuring safe conditions at Kissena Corridor Park, especially following the recent horrific attack there. I call for the city to make crucial safety improvements a priority and thank Councilwoman Ung for convening this important meeting.”
Following the meeting, the elected officials sent a letter to Mayor Eric Adams (see attached) outlining the community’s concerns and urging his administration’s support for the safety measures discussed, as well as vowed to have an ongoing dialogue with the local community.
In addition to Councilmember Ung and Assemblymembers Nily Rozic and Ron Kim, representatives from the Offices of Congresswoman Grace Meng and State Senator John Liu also attended the meeting.
Representatives from city agencies included Assistant Chief Christine Bastedenbeck from Patrol Borough Queens North, Inspector Kevin Coleman from the 109th Precinct, Chief of Operations Phil Sparacio from the Department of Parks and Recreation, Principal Anthony Cromer from East-West School of International Studies, Principal Judy Friedman from Rachel Carson I.S. 237Q, and other staff members from NYPD, Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Education.
