Georgetown's Waterfront Park, where people jog and take walks along the Potomac River, is also the place where a man sexually assaulted a woman Oct. 19, according to U.S. Park Police.
"It's definitely something that's been concerning to a number of students on campus just because a lot of students walk out and about in the area," Georgetown University student Kaylan Coke said.
It’s the fifth similar crime reported in Georgetown since August. On 35th Street, a man with a knife grabbed a woman, covered her mouth and threw her down before she scared him away, police said. A few blocks away, a man exposed himself to a woman. On 37th Street, a woman was grabbed. And on Potomac Street, a man inappropriately touched a woman on the steps of a home.
"One sex assault is troubling to the community, so when you have three or four, it's a concern," ANC Commissioner Ed Solomon said.
He helped set up a community crime meeting with police Wednesday night. Police are stepping up patrols in Georgetown, he said.
“Their patrols are becoming more visible, and we're getting more patrols for the Christmas season as well.
Councilmember Jack Evans, who represents Georgetown and attended the crime meeting, said sexual assault in Georgetown has gone up since last year.
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"They're up 100 percent from last year,” he said. “Ten instead of five is a significant increase."
D.C. police said there were 328 sex abuse cases reported in the city by this time in 2015 -- the exact same number as this year. That's an average of almost one per day.
Evans pointed out how dark parts of Georgetown are at night. There's a proposal identifying almost 60 locations for new light poles, he said.
"I was driving home last night and there weren't lights,” he said. “Can't we just get people to turn on their lights at night, because it lights up the street."
Evans also reminded people to avoid walking alone at night if possible and to pay attention.
"If you do see a person or persons that cause you concern, walk out in the middle of the street," he said.
