Williamsburg Park May Improve Waterfront Safety

In an unfortunate example of art imitating life, last night's "Kidnapped" location shoot on the Williamsburg waterfront came just one day after two neighborhood women were attacked in the same spot, the dead-end at North 7th Street and Kent Avenue. According to flyers posted at the location, two armed men in their 20's held one woman down while attempting to rape the second. Thankfully, the victims escaped "because of a good citizen".

Imnotsayin wonders if the attack would have happened if the imminent East River State Park, with its State Parks Police presence, had been open. The park, which is immediately adjacent to the lot where the attack occurred, appeared to be progressing rapidly toward completion until a few weeks ago. Recently, with just minor cleanup remaining - and the summer waning - progress has slowed to a crawl. With a skeleton crew of three contractors, a "huge punchlist" to complete (according to one of the workers), and new fencing blocking former openings, locals are likely to continue crawling through fence holes and using dark vacant lots to access the waterfront until the new park is complete.

Based on the presence of a State Parks Police cruiser at last night's TV shoot, we assume the NY State Parks Department was made aware of the attack. We warmly welcome Parks and the Parks Police to the neighborood. We just hope they step up the pace and get the park open soon.

Locked Out [INSIJS]

History of the Park Site [INSIJS]

Scary/Funny YouTube Video - Locals Recall the Lot's Recent History [via Curbed]