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Cleveland Parking Garage Scene of Violent Sexual Assault PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jeff Garvas   
Friday, 09 September 2005

Ohioans For Concealed Carry has learned that a parking garage in downtown Cleveland was supposedly the scene of a violent attack and sexual assault Wednesday afternoon.

It is not known if Imperial Parking, the garage at 6th and Prospect where the attack allegedly took place, prohibits concealed handgun license holders from carrying a firearm to defend themselves.


What is clear today is that the attacker had a gun.

Cleveland television stations played footage of passersby suggesting that "video cameras" might deter a rapist from pointing a gun at someone in a stairwell and overpowering them.

Management has apparently stated that instead of cameras, they'll increase unarmed employee patrols in the garage. Unfortunately, this feel good move will do nothing to protect the next person to be attacked in a parking garage.

Readers of this website might think this story is a duplicate, but its more like de ja vu.

Parking garages, while typically safe, are a haven for violence against people unaware of their surroundings and incapable of defending themselves.

In June we reported a similar story: Woman Reports Attempted Abduction In Parking Garage about a similiar incident in a Cincinnati parking garage.

The irony from our June story is chilling:
    ...the husband of the woman attacked at the garage Monday is calling for the changes at Tower Place to prevent future crimes. He asked for notification to all the monthly parkers that the attack occurred so they can take their own due diligence, installation of surveillance cameras in the stairwells and elevators, and increased security patrols.
Cleveland Police feel the attacker in the most recent attack may be the same person who raped a woman in the Huntington Garage in April of 2004.

From the OFCC Archives: Police: Woman Raped In Downtown Parking Garage

If you're forced to use a parking garage your first defense is situational awareness and the proper mindset. Knowing where you are and how you will react if you encounter an attacker is crucial, if you happen to be carrying a firearm or not.