NEW ORLEANS — Concern is growing among visitors of New Orleans’ City Park after a jogger was robbed at gunpoint Monday night. Locals say the incident has left them feeling uneasy, especially after a series of recent crimes in the park.
“Someone jogging in the park shouldn’t feel unsafe,” said Dawn Lapeyrolerie, a park regular.
According to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), the robbery occurred just before 10 p.m. on Palm Drive when an armed suspect approached the victim while she was jogging. The assailant pushed her to the ground and demanded her belongings. The victim complied, and the suspect fled on foot.
“It’s awful to hear someone got attacked at City Park. I love this park,” said Mary Jane Walsh, another parkgoer.
For some, the recent crime has prompted a change in habits. “I used to work out later on in the evenings because that’s when I would finish my work, but now I think it’s really important for it to be in daylight,” Walsh explained.
This latest robbery follows a similar troubling incident from two months ago when police found a man shot to death in the park. These incidents have raised concerns about safety, with many joggers now staying cautious.
Krista Jankowski, another regular park visitor, expressed her worries. “You want to be sure that wherever you are in the park, whether it’s around the track or anywhere, that you’re safe,” she said.
In light of these concerns, some parkgoers are calling for increased lighting to improve visibility at night. “I’ve driven through the park after leaving out for events, and there are some parts that are darker, easy to hide if someone does want to harm someone else,” said Lapeyrolerie.
Recently, the park hosted a community meeting to discuss its master plan and upcoming revitalization efforts. Improvements such as better lighting are among the suggestions being considered.
City Park officials have expressed their commitment to maintaining a safe environment for visitors, releasing a statement saying they are ready to assist the NOPD in their investigation.
