COUNCIL MEMBER VAN BRAMER HOLDS FREE COMMUNITY SELF DEFENSE TRAINING
On Sunday, November 6th, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and Speaker Christine Quinn, along with the Center for Anti-Violence Education held a free, community-wide self-defense course at PS 11 in Woodside. Over 60 people attended to learn useful techniques for protecting themselves against unwanted sexual assaults.
The course was in response to a string of groping attacks across the City, specifically including the attacks that took place in Sunnyside and Woodside. The 108th precinct has increased patrols, including plainclothes patrols, in Sunnyside-Woodside in response to the incidents. Their investigation continues and Council Member Van Bramer is in regular contact with the precinct commander.
In addition to the self defense training, Council Member Van Bramer has flyered in Sunnyside and Woodside to alert the community to the crimes, their times, and locations. The last known incident occurred October 7th.
“I am pleased that so many women and girls took part in the self defense training my office organized with Speaker Quinn. No woman is ever at fault for an assault directed at her and we want to empower women with more tools of defense so that no one feels unsafe in their own neighborhood. One attack is one too many and we'll continue all of our efforts to catch this creep and keep our Sunnyside-Woodside streets safe for all,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.