New York attorney general challenger Saritha Komatireddy blamed Letitia James after a reported knifepoint sexual assault in Central Park. The Republican candidate linked the attack to James’ public safety record and called for new leadership. Her remarks drew criticism from users who accused her of politicizing the assault and questioned James’ responsibility for city crime.
ABC7 New York reported that police were searching for a man who sexually assaulted a 39-year-old woman Saturday night. The attack occurred near East 66th Street and Fifth Avenue around 8:30 p.m. The suspect fled the scene, and police had made no arrests as of Sunday.
In a post on X, Komatireddy highlighted another attack involving a 32-year-old woman cycling through Central Park a week earlier. She said three men ambushed and punched the woman after she stopped to retrieve fallen earbuds. She then claimed violence against women had increased 41% in New York City under James.
The candidate argued that women now feared taking public transportation, jogging in parks, and walking through their neighborhoods at night. She blamed James’ leadership for worsening public safety concerns, declaring, “It’s time for a change at AG.”
Saritha Komatireddy Faces Backlash Over Central Park Assault and Letitia James
The post drew divided responses over whether Komatireddy’s criticism addressed public safety or used the attack for political advantage.
“Ah what a way to promote your agenda. A cowardly fear tactic,” one user wrote. Another questioned James’ responsibility for local policing: “Wow, I didn’t know that the New York Attorney General was in charge of policing in New York City!”
Others challenged Komatireddy’s broader crime claims. “Your statement does not reflect reality where crime, that is all crime, has gone down for the past year and a half,” one response argued. A separate commenter questioned her proposed solutions, asking, “Sure, but how do you plan to change it?”
However, some supported her criticism and called for greater accountability. “Keep pointing out these little tidbits! The people must be reminded of how serious a problem crime still is in NYC,” one user wrote.
Another called for replacing James, stating, “We don’t need a new law to address the issue, just a new AG”
Komatireddy’s post did not identify specific measures she would pursue as attorney general to prevent similar attacks.
