Critical assaults have soared 58% in Central Park to this point in 2025 — whereas studies of “intercourse crimes” apart from rape have shot up a disturbing 146%, based on NYPD knowledge.
There have been 19 felony assaults recorded within the park to this point this yr, up from 12 in the identical span final yr, the information present. Critical assaults have elevated 138% from two years in the past and 280% from 15 years in the past, based on NYPD knowledge.
“Different intercourse crimes” — which embrace sexual offenses that aren’t rapes — have spiked to 27 incidents to this point this yr, from 11 in the identical interval in 2024, the information present.
A 22-year-old New Jersey lady was sitting close to West Drive and Middle Drive on Sept. 26, speaking on a mobile phone, when she was approached by stranger — who started speaking to her earlier than immediately groping her genitals, police stated.
The attacker took off, police stated. There have been no arrests.
In one other brazen incident, a lady strolling together with her husband on West Drive close to 72nd Road round 10 p.m. on Aug. 28 was slapped on the rear by a stranger who took off on a one-wheeled scooter,
The skyrocketing incidents have park guests on excessive alert.
“I wouldn’t stroll right here alone,” stated Vena Watson, 45, who was within the park together with her husband.
Tom Moore, a superintendent at a constructing close to the park, positioned the blame for the crime surge on metropolis and state politicians.
“It’s been escalating since 2020 due to bulls–t insurance policies like no money bail, they’re going so lenient on crime and that creates a revolving door of violence,” Moore, 60, instructed The Publish.
“I’ve my head on a swivel. . . . I really feel scared going out at night time.”
In a single Aug. 25 assault spree, a crazed homeless man randomly assaulted two folks in separate incidents, choking them and biting one sufferer’s ear within the iconic inexperienced area.
David Luciano approached an 18-year-old man round 1:20 a.m. on the West Drive at 62nd Road, police stated. The maniac was accused of choking, punching and kicking the teenager earlier than fleeing, authorities stated in a legal grievance.
The loon then headed north and attacked a 37-year-old man on the West Drive at 93rd Road a half hour later, police stated. He choked the second sufferer earlier than throwing him to the bottom and chowing down on his ear, authorities stated.
Luciano, 27, was arrested an hour after the assaults and charged with two counts assault and legal obstruction of respiratory, police stated. He was taken to a hospital for a psychiatric analysis.
The fees weren’t bail eligible, and Luciano failed to look for an Oct. 23 court docket date.
Lifelong New Yorker Tony Martinez stated he and others have seen the crime improve.
“I wouldn’t inform anybody who’s susceptible, who’s not capable of stand their floor to exit at night time,” Martinez, 53, stated. ”I’ve heard of individuals simply getting knocked down.”
A 51-year-old lady who was strolling within the park was assaulted and robbed round 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 5 when two individuals who had been using a foldable e-bike got here up from behind, struck her within the head and snatched her headphones, police stated.
She tracked the headphones to Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard in Harlem. There have been no arrests.
Husband and spouse Laurie and Ross McDonagh, each 34, had been visiting the Massive Apple from England.
“I’m anxious about crime,” the spouse stated. “It’s fairly scary at night time. I wouldn’t stroll round alone.”
They’ve seen numerous emotionally disturbed folks, she added.
“We’ve seen folks speaking to themselves on the road,” she stated. “You need to have your wits about you.”
General crime within the park is down 22.1% to this point in 2025 as in comparison with the identical time interval in 2024, a police spokesman stated, including that 40% of the “different intercourse crimes” had been for public lewdness.
Half of the 19 felony assaults resulted in arrests, he added, vowing that the NYPD would proceed to take measures to lower crime additional.
“The Central Park Precinct is increasing their Q-Groups which is able to drive crime additional down and proceed to make New Yorkers really feel protected in Central Park,” the spokesman stated.
