A 23-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in her own apartment in Jamaica, Queens early Saturday morning, according to the NYPD. The disturbing incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. in a building on 94th Avenue—leaving residents shaken and wondering how an intruder was able to gain access despite the building reportedly having security in place.
Police say the suspect entered the woman’s apartment and raped her before fleeing with her bed sheets. She was transported to Queens Hospital and is in stable condition. As of now, the suspect remains at large.
This incident raises serious concerns about the building’s security measures. Residents are now questioning the effectiveness of the building’s safeguards and want to know: Where was the doorman? Were the entrances properly monitored? Were surveillance cameras functional and well-positioned?
While the building allegedly had security, several tenants told CBS New York that cameras only covered the front entrance and not the hallways or rear exits. One resident said, “I don’t think that that was enough because he’s still out here.”
When a landlord or property manager fails to provide adequate security—especially in high-crime areas—they may be held legally accountable if a tenant or guest is attacked as a result.
At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, our team of New York negligent security attorneys represent victims of rape, sexual assault, and other violent crimes that occur in residential buildings due to inadequate security. Property owners have a legal duty to protect tenants from foreseeable harm. That duty may include hiring trained security guards, installing and maintaining working locks and intercoms, and ensuring adequate surveillance.
If you or a loved one was assaulted in a building that failed to meet basic safety standards, you may be entitled to seek justice through a civil lawsuit—regardless of whether the perpetrator has been caught.
We have extensive experience litigating complex premises security cases in NYC, including those involving:
- Broken locks or malfunctioning entry systems
- Failure to vet or supervise security staff
- Lack of or non-functional surveillance cameras
- Landlords ignoring prior incidents or complaints
If you have questions about your rights following a sexual assault in an apartment building, contact our firm for a free, confidential consultation. We are committed to holding negligent landlords and building owners accountable.