“Central Park is not a safe place after dark, but there is not much you can do about it.” RENATA ZEMANOVA
Outdoors lovers reacted with shock and horror to the strangulation of a man in Central Park – but nobody says the crime will keep them away from the city’s best-known green space.
“It’s pretty horrifying, but it’s New York City,” 26-year-old Vasilka Bukov said as she roller-skated yesterday just a few feet from the crime scene off E. 65th Street.
“I guess he was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Bukov said.
“You can’t change your life because of this. I’m still going to come back here. I’m not going to let it ruin my spring.”
“It’s never good for people to go into the park after 7 o’clock, when it gets dark,” said Linda Ladm, a baby sitter who accompanied three children to the same area of the park.
“For me and the children, Central Park is beautiful during the day,” Ladm said.
“But I will never go in the park after dark. There are too many bad things that could happen.
“I can’t believe it happened over here. It seems to be a nice area.”
Police say Central Park is safe – this week’s murder was the first in the Central Park police precinct this year, and only one murder was reported in the park last year.
And in all last year, only 40 crimes were reported in the park.
“Central Park is the safest place in the city – but people should remember no place is crime-free,” said Travis Rapp, a bicycle cop who has worked the park for several years.
He had some advice for park-goers.
“If you go jogging or walking in the park, it’s just common sense to go with another person,” he said.
“People should stay in well-lit areas – and don’t wear headphones when you jog.” That’s because headphone users can’t hear what’s going on around them, Rapp said.
“I take precautions,” said skater Caroline Aim, 27. “I never go in the park at night, and I always have people around me. I always carry a mobile phone so I feel safe.”
But some people said they are still afraid.
“It’s frightening,” said Renata Zemanova, a Czech exchange student in New York for four months.
“I feel safe, but I wouldn’t go here at night,” Zemanova said. “Central Park is not a safe place after dark, but there is not much you can do about it.”
Crime has scared some people from the park.
Susan Rueo, a neighbor of the murder victim, Matthew Herman, said if a man could be killed in the park, women probably have more to fear.
“I’ve been avoiding the park,” Rueo said. “It’s scary, and also irritating. Central Park is a green space, and people like to enjoy it and feel safe about exercising there.
“They don’t want to have to think twice about it.”