Vancouver police say they have increased patrols in Stanley Park, after a woman was attacked and sexually assaulted on Monday.
The VPD tells CityNews officers will be patrolling on horseback, bike, and on foot, looking for evidence and the suspect, and to reassure the public.
“Obviously, this is an extremely unnerving incident that’s occurred and our increased police presence in the park is meant to calm some of that fear that may exist as a result of a violent and unprovoked attack in the middle of the day, on a busy day, in a very popular area,” Sgt. Steve Addison said Tuesday.
“We’re hoping that, while this is extremely unnerving and concerning, we’re hoping to be able to create some confidence and comfort for people by having an increased police presence for the time being in the park.”
Police say the woman was attacked just before 11 a.m. Monday on Lees Trail, just north of Lost Lagoon. Addison says officers were immediately sent to Stanley Park following the 911 call.
“I can confirm it was a sexually motivated incident, it was a sexual assault, and that the victim did not know the attacker — so it’s a stranger attack, it’s very concerning,” Addison said.
“We sent about two dozen officers into the park immediately and they spent a considerable amount of time patrolling the park, patrolling the trails, looking for the suspect, who ultimately had fled and has not been located.”
Despite concerns, Addison is stressing “this is a safe city and Stanley Park is a safe park.”
“On a beautiful, sunny day like yesterday was and the previous few days when we’ve had fantastic weather, there’s hundreds if not thousands of people who are out there, on the Seawall, in the playgrounds, in the trails. So, by and large, it’s a safe place and incidents like the one that happened yesterday, while very concerning, are quite rare. That doesn’t make it any less unnerving, any less concerning when it does happen, so we’re doing everything we can to solve the case … and also reassure the community,” he added.
Meanwhile, Vancouver police are asking people to be vigilant as the search for a suspect continues.
The suspect is described as a man in his 20s who is about 5’7″ tall. He was wearing a dark toque and a zipper jacket with a checkered pattern on the front at the time of the incident.
Police say anyone with information can contact the VPD at 604-717-4021 or 911 in the event of an emergency.
source & photo : CityNews
