Boston, August 17, 2014, /bpdnews.com/ — At about 7:50 PM on Thursday, August 14, 2014, officers assigned to District D-14 (Brighton) responded to a report of an indecent assault and battery in the area of 39 Brighton Avenue in Brighton. Upon arrival, officers were met by a female victim who reported she had been sexually assaulted by a male suspect. The suspect fled the area on Gardner Street toward Harvard Avenue prior to police arrival.
Approximately 40 minutes later, at about 8:30 PM on the same date, officers from District D-14 responded to the area of Quint and Brighton Avenues for a second report of an indecent assault and battery. Officers were met by a second female victim who reported she was sexually assaulted by a male suspect. The victim reported that the suspect fled the area on Quint Avenue towards Glenville Avenue prior to police arrival.
Both victims described the suspect as follows:
- White, non-Hispanic male
- Late 30’s to early 40’s
- Approximately 5’8” tall
- Slim build
- Short brown hair
- Possibly balding
- Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. When parking, walking or returning to your car, remain in well-lit and populated areas.
- Wear sneakers or shoes that allow for added mobility.
- Be watchful and aware. Keep your head up. Make quick eye contact with those around you and be observant of passing vehicles. Don’t become distracted by talking on a cell phone or listening to an iPod/similar device.
- Avoid walking alone late at night. Walk with friends and people you know.
- Keep a whistle within reach. If you feel threatened, use the whistle to signal residents that you need assistance. Yelling “Fire!” “Help!” and/or “Rape!” are other ways of drawing attention and alerting people that you need help.
- Hold your car keys in your hand to use as a weapon against an attacker.
- Carry a cell phone.
- Call ahead to your destination to alert them that you’re on your way. Make sure they expect you at a certain time, so that in the event you fail to show up, they’ll know enough to begin looking for you.
- Walk with confidence. Be assertive. Don’t let anyone violate your space. Trust your instincts. Know this: anyone at any time can be a victim of crime. Don’t assume, “IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME.”
- If an unarmed attacker confronts you, believe in your ability to scare, distract, or even incapacitate the attacker enough to escape.
- If you think that someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant, or residence.