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News: Serial rapist attacks
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After five months without incident, another foreign-born woman has been raped in her home. This is the fifth rape of a single woman living alone in San Miguel de Allende since October 2005.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, June 23, in colonia Azteca, which borders Los Balcones. The victim was threatened with a knife. In this case, the rapist left after less than one hour.
Four of the women were between 50 and 60 years of age. In all of the cases, the assailant threatened the women with a knife and entered the house by scaling walls or balconies late on a Thursday or Friday night.
Despite community pressure over the past months to release a composite drawing of the rapist, investigating authorities have refused, claiming it is an unreliable rendition. Requests to offer a reward for information have been denied; however, the issue was again recently discussed with municipal authorities. As we go to press, head of the municipal International Relations Department, has requested a private meeting with State Attorney and Governor to discuss progress in the cases. The date of the meeting has yet to be confirmed.
Investigation of the rape cases has been in the hands of the Special Investigative Group (GERI) of the State Attorney General’s office since February. Although a press conference was held by municipal authorities the day after the recent attack occurred, no state representatives attended. Assistant Police Chief and director of municipal International Relations explained that information on the state of the cases can only come from the district attorney’s office.
“The district attorney’s office must act,”. “I am here in response to the incident and can inform the public regarding my department, but I cannot do more. The police department responds to activity in the street and to prevent crime. This crime occurred within a home, so it is out of our hands.”
As the city enters the summer tourism season, expressed concern that news of the attack would generate widespread panic. “Municipal authorities are working arduously to prevent crime and improve the local police department. We must not let this affect other aspects of the city. San Miguel continues to be a safe place to live and visit.”
San Miguel is safe, stating: “The streets of the city are safe. We have implemented dynamic systems of prevention [referring to Neighborhood Watch programs], increased patrols in high-risk zones and encouraged the community in general to report crimes.”
Since the first rape last year, municipal authorities have responded with a variety of programs: the Neighborhood Watch program, increased police patrols in high-risk areas, and internal departmental changes, such as appointing assistant police chief. Communication and collaboration with state authorities has improved, though state authorities remain silent toward the media. Nevertheless, much of the preventive measures remain in the hands of the community. “Residents must protect themselves and their homes, and they must help us to help them.”
Police chief limited his comments to a statement that only eight polices cars patrol the city.
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