As women continue to look over their shoulders after Monday night’s sex assault — possibly the 13th in a string of attacks — police officers acknowledged they might need to be more sensitive as they try to catch the suspect, or suspects.
The deputy inspectors of two Brooklyn precincts met with members of two women’s advocacy groups — Safe Slope and Hollaback! — on Thursday. Park Slope Councilman Brad Lander convened the meeting after 6,000 people signed a petition criticizing cops.
Multiple women reported officers critiquing how they dressed, telling them not to wear skirts or short shorts because a rapist is on the loose, according to Safe Slope organizers.
One South Slope resident, Mallory Rials, told Metro that a cop stopped her two weeks ago on her way to the gym and told her she “should be wearing long pants” instead of running shorts.
“I told him that I couldn’t change the way I live my life just because of some creep,” she said.
At Thursday’s meeting, police officers promised to remind cops never to critique clothing, because it sends the message that a victim could be at fault, according to Emily May of Hollaback!
Police spokesman Paul Browne disputed accounts of officers condemning clothes.
“Police don’t comment on what women wear,” he said.
Women were attacked two days in a row this week.
Follow Alison Bowen on Twitter @AlisonatMetro.
