Caution evening walkers-- Beware

I generally like to walk in the evening when it is cool and quiet. All week I’ve walked without an unpleasant incident. I smile and wave at others who are walking and sometimes I see people I haven’t seen in ages that I went to school with.

I enjoy walking it relieves my stress. I listen to my oldies, sing along and enjoy the night air.

As I walked down Florin Road headed home I had an unsettling feeling. I felt something would go wrong.

I left my home an hour later than usual so it was 9:50pm as I came near 24th street. I was approximately 20 minutes from home.

I begin to think of the street I would walk down and how it was off Florin Road and houses would only be on the right side. Normally I’m not concerned with the route. But last night I was concerned the left side is filled with trees which could block cars passing by from seeing me.

I was concerned with the lack of lights and the lack of traffic. The walk up was pleasant but on the walk home I had a deep feeling something was wrong. I grew concern with the lack of street lighting and for the first time I decided to change my route.

As I approached Valero gas station near 25th street I decided to turn and walk on the street near the library. The area did not have much lighting but I knew in about 2 blocks I could walk the rest of the way home with houses both to the left and right of me and more traffic.

I noticed three youth walking towards me. As I approached the boys I took my MP3 headset out my ear. I noticed everything about them, their walk, clothing, hair styles. The youth and I exchanged pleasantries.

I placed the MP3 headset back in my ear and listened to my oldies. I walked about a block. I turned to see where the youth were and they were gone, no longer in my view.

I looked around and I saw no one in the immediate area. As I was singing along with the music I felt two hands grab my waist from behind. It wasn’t an aggressive grab. At first I thought perhaps my son or one of his friends was sneaking up on me.

My son will sometimes meet me when I walk and walk the rest of the way home with me. I’ve always felt safe, everyone in the neighborhood pretty much knows me and I am friendly with everyone.

I called out my sons name but then the grab became aggressive and vulgar. I tried to turn around to look them in the face but I was positioned where I couldn’t move around. I tried to yank the headset out my ear and scream, fight and protect myself.

Everything around me seemed darker, colder, scarier and I panicked. I couldn’t think straight. It felt like a movie; a scary movie. It didn’t seem real. I felt horrible. I felt violated. I felt scared.

I broke away and begin screaming, running, crying and there were no houses and there was no traffic. I never walk that route home. I was unfamiliar with the fact that there is a dangerous stretch where an attack can be made and no one can see or hear you scream.

I cried, “Oh God, Oh God”. I ran as fast as I could still yelling for help. I turned around once and I saw him as he ran towards 25th and Florin Road. He turned to look back but I could not get a clear picture of his face. I tried to look at his clothing but my mind kept feeling his disgusting hands on me. I didn’t want to look at him. I wanted to run as far away as possible.

I just wanted to get out the area. I remembered 911 on a cell phone would not go directly to SPD. I just wanted to get out the area. My uncle lives a few blocks from the area and I knew he could be to me in a matter of minutes. I called for two people to come to me and I would leave with whoever arrived first.

I cried all the way home. Every time I thought of his touch I screamed. I called the Sacramento Police Department 264-5151 number to file a police report. The phone was immediately answered. I described to the officer what occurred. The officer said “We’re on our way; we’re sending someone to you.”

I could not give a detailed description of the pervert because he assaulted me from behind. The one glance I had as I ran from him wasn’t clear.

I was so focused on the youth and cautious of the youth that a middle aged man assaulted me and I could not give a clear description other than his race.

I share this to warn others who enjoy walking in the evening. Take out your headset. I enjoy music but the music, even though I had the sound on low, distracted me from hearing anyone come from behind me.

Be cautious of your surroundings.

Don’t make the mistake I made and observe the youth and pay little attention to middle aged adults. I was so focused on what was in front of me the music distracted me from hearing someone come from behind me.

If you feel something is not right don’t do like I did and just change your route call for someone to come and get you. I tried to avoid danger and walked right into danger.

Don’t walk, in the dark, down 25th Street and Florin Road, near the welfare department, continuation school, grassy field and it appears a truck parking stop area. The area is somewhat isolated in the evening and before you reach the open field you can be attacked by a middle aged Black Male adult who assaults women.

Initially I thought he wasn’t a transient. The officer who came to my home asked me, “Do you think he was a transient? Did he smell bad?” I didn’t notice a smell so I said No. This morning I drove to the area and replayed the events in my mind.

I do now believe he was a transient. I didn’t smell him, he didn’t have an odor that I could notice but he attacked me from behind and I wasn’t smelling him I was trying to protect myself.

Initially I wondered if I should even make a police report since I couldn't give a good description for an arrest. But a report was necessary because someone else could be attacked and the pervert could become more dangerous. 

The two officers who arrived at my home to take the report were both sensitive to my needs. They were both concerned and both very courteous. And I thank them for the respect I was given at a time when I felt so disrespected and violated.

Everything happened so fast but it would seem like forever. We can’t be too careful and we must always be alert. Please warn your neighbors, daughters, older women who enjoy going for evening walks that there is a predator in the area of 25th street and Florin Road. Be cautious and aware so you can be safe.

Thank you SacPd