FOREST HILLS — Several Queens politicians hit the streets of Rego Park early Friday morning, handing out flyers alerting commuters about the Forest Hills rapist.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Council members Karen Koslowitz and Julissa Ferreras, state Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assemblywoman Grace Meng gathered just after 7 a.m. at the 63rd street M/R station to raise awareness about Ibrahima Ragis, the 20-year-old wanted by police for sexually assaulting two Forest Hills women and robbing a third within the past three weeks.
"Alert about the Forest Hills rapist," Koslowitz repeated over and over again while handing out flyers to passing commuters.
The sexual assaults, combined with a sharp increase in felony assaults have shaken a community that for years has been one of the safest in the city. Still, the politicians insisted that the neighborhood isn't on a downward slide.
"This is a good, vibrant community with law-abiding citizens," Stavisky said. "This happens in the best of neighborhoods."
Still, Stavisky would like to see some changes made to protect residents, in light of the the fact that all three assaults came late at night.
"Security cameras are always useful," Stavisky said. "The NYPD is doing the best they can. We've just got to make sure the community is alert."
