The event occurred late on Saturday evening, when the woman was followed into one of the bar’s public restrooms by an unknown male assailant described by witnesses as Latino, of medium build, with short cut hair and around 5-foot-8. The man allegedly punched the victim in the face, chipping her tooth in the unexplained attack.
The assailant then returned to the bar, where he was observed to leisurely put his coat on. Some moments later he exited the premises without arousing patrons’ suspicion.
The security cameras in the bar were operational on the night and it is understood that the man’s face was recorded. It is not yet know if there was a relationship between the attacker and the victim or her companions.
The latest attack comes in the wake of a series of apparently unrelated sexual assaults by livery cab drivers on young Irish woman traveling alone after hours. A notable increase in police presence in the area has helped to allay fear in the community. However, some local publicans are now expressing discomfort with what they describe as the overzealous enforcement of minor summonses that have accompanied the elevated security detail.
Said one local publican: “The police are cracking down on underage drinkers now. The papers have embarrassed them and they don’t intend to be caught short again. So now they’re coming into the bars and looking for underage girls, to prevent them from drinking. They’re also out on the streets each night checking the registrations of the cabs.
“There have been no more incidents involving cab drivers, which is obviously welcome, but we feel the police are being too heavy-handed now. They’re giving out tickets for fruit flies on the beer bottles. We understand the need for better security, but we also have a livelihood to make.”
Elderly residents of neighborhood are, however, more enthusiastic about the recent increase in police presence.
“The fact is that we use this cab service all the time to get to Maspeth,” one woman said. “It’s good that the police will be keeping a closer eye on them.”
Said Councilman Eric Gioia: “It’s tempting to hail a cab on street, but the fact is that it’s illegal to do so — although I do understand the temptation. Nine times out of 10 you’ll never have a problem, but it’s just so much safer to make a phone call, order a cab and get home that way. We’ll all have to take better care and keep our wits about us, specially young women who are traveling on their own, but all of us really need to be on our guard.”
Gioia admitted he was “disturbed” by the recent spate of cab driver attacks and vowed to “hold feet to the fire” until the situation is resolved.
The Republican and Conservative candidate for city council, Patrick Hurley, said that there was a demand for the cabs in the local community and suggested the solution of a regulated taxi stand.
“Years ago there was a stand near 61st Street with an officer who regulated the taxis, ensuring that drivers had their permits and licenses,” he said. “We need to reinstate that system. Many local merchants have complained that the cabs cause congestion and that they’re a nuisance, but my own view is that we don’t need to drive them out — there’s clearly a public demand — we just need to regulate what’s already there.”
To date no charges have been brought or suspects identified in any of the recent attacks. The investigations are ongoing.