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North Park unites after another woman attacked

A woman was knocked to the ground and punched in the face in a North Park alley, and police Friday were looking into whether her attacker was involved in several other assaults in the area.

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8/CNS) - A woman was knocked to the ground and punched in the face in a North Park alley, and police Friday were looking into whether her attacker was involved in several other assaults in the area.

The woman was walking in an alley off the 3900 block of Idaho Street about 11:30 p.m. Thursday when she was attacked from behind, according to San Diego police. Several witnesses came to her aid after she was heard screaming, and the suspect ran off. Police described the suspect as Hispanic, 5 feet, 6 inches to 6 feet tall and wearing a red shirt and dark pants.

One resident, Lorri Henderson, is using the buddy system at night and so is Maureen Walton. And although police say officers are patrolling the area - in force - on foot, on bicycles and in cars, some residents want to see more activity.

One woman, who lives a block away from where Thursday night's attack occurred, carries mace and is ready to move away to another part of town.

The police department's Sex Crimes Unit was working to determine if the attack was related to other recent assaults in the North Park neighborhood.

On July 20, a woman was attacked from behind and lost consciousness in the 2900 block of Lincoln Avenue, police said. Detectives said that assault was similar to another incident a month before and a block away.

Attempted sexual assaults on Meade Avenue near 33rd Street and on Lincoln Avenue near Oregon Street were reported on June 17 and June 21, respectively, according to police.

Anyone with information was asked to call police at (619) 531-2210 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

North Park residents are scheduled to hold a town hall meeting Saturday, August 30 to discuss the series of attacks. The meeting will be held at the North Park Lions Club on Utah Street from noon to 2 p.m.

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