2nd sexual assault in Powderhornoutrages community

BY ED FELIEN

A second sexual assault in Powderhorn Park within a month has outraged the Powderhorn Community. On Aug. 23 two young girls, ages 13 and 15, were walking through the park at 10:30 p.m. when they were approached by a group of young Somali men. There was a football game being played by Somalis in the park at this time, and there were at least 30 people watching the game.
Sgt. William Palmer says that the girls were assaulted by at least two of the young men at the north end of the park. In a completely unrelated incident, a woman was raped in the park July 27.

Council Member Gary Schiff said: “This was a horrible crime that was traumatic to these two girls. Anyone with information about what they saw in the park that night is encouraged to talk to police so the safety that we all expect in our parks is safeguarded.” If anyone has information about the Aug. 23 sexual assault they can call 612-692-8477.

Council Member Elizabeth Glidden held a community meeting at the park on Sept. 2 with members of the Minneapolis and Park Police. She said: “When I found out about this incident yesterday, I asked what the current response was from the police in the Powderhorn Park area. I was told that Park Police had extra patrols in the park, 3rd Precinct had extra patrols around the park, and the 3rd Precinct Community Response Team (CRT), which does undercover work, has also been assigned to the park area and is assisting with the investigation.”

The Minneapolis Police Department recommends: Be extra cautious about your surroundings. Trust your instincts. Be aware of strangers loitering in your area. If at all possible, travel in groups or pairs, not alone—especially after dark. There is safety in numbers. If you are out walking after dark, plan and use the safest and most direct route to your destination. Be wary of isolated spots. Use strong body language by walking with confidence and purpose, head up. If you think someone is following you, switch directions and walk to a place where there are other people. Call 911 immediately to report any suspicious activity.

Talk to your children about how to remain safe. If you are confronted by a potential attacker: Remain calm. Observe the assailant’s physical appearance, mannerisms, scars or marks, peculiarities, clothing, jewelry, etc. Talk; stall for time; assess your options. If you feel it’s an option, call attention to yourself by yelling, using loud verbal commands, a screech alarm, or make other noise to attract attention to the attacker. Keep distance between yourself and a potential attacker by walking or running away and/or placing obstacles between you and the attacker (car, bus shelter, etc.). Do what you need to do to survive.

Two men from the Abubakar Mosque spoke at the meeting and said they were quite willing to help with the investigation.

There will be a personal safety workshop led by Mary Brandl on Saturday, Sept. 19. She has conducted personal safety workshops in the Powderhorn community for over 30 years. Dawn Sommers, the spokesperson for the Minneapolis Park Depart ment, says it’s important to keep this incident in perspective. Less than 2 percent of the violent crimes in Minneapolis happen in the parks. It’s very rare for sexual assaults to happen in a park, let alone two in the same park in a month’s time.