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Guardian Angels patrolling area around Coney Island boardwalk following rape

Gonzalez is a member of Guardian Angels, a nonprofit that sends out volunteers to patrol neighborhoods all over the country. Since Sunday, he says he and his team have gone back to the scene of the rape countless times.

Julia Joseph

Aug 13, 2024, 9:42 PM

Updated 129 days ago

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Members of the Guardian Angels say they are monitoring the area around the Coney Island boardwalk after a 46-year-old woman was raped there.
The NYPD says a 46-year-old woman was raped on Sunday night.
Neighbors like Jose Gonzalez say they are now feeling increased pressure to patrol the community.
Just two days after the assault, News12 saw no police on the grounds where the attack took place. The absence was also noted by residents and tourists who News 12 spoke to.
Gonzalez is a member of Guardian Angels, a nonprofit that sends out volunteers to patrol neighborhoods all over the country. Since Sunday, he says he and his team have gone back to the scene of the rape countless times.
Gonzalez says they are checking to make sure that no one is hiding out under the boardwalk on Surf Avenue and W. 16th Street, so what happened on Sunday will not happen again.
In connection to the rape, David Davon Bonilla, 24, and 37-year-old Leovando Morena were arrested after police say they attacked the woman. The NYPD says the suspects pushed the woman to the ground, displayed a knife and forcibly raped her.
Both men were arraigned on Monday and are facing a plethora of charges. Davon-Banilla is facing charges for first- degree rape, sexual abuse, menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. Moreno faces second-degree assault charges and criminal possession of a weapon as well.