TAKE BACK SANTA CRUZ TO HOLD “COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WALK” AFTER LATEST DOWNTOWN ATTACK
Santa Cruz, CA – Monday April 30, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In light of the recent sexually motivated attack on a young woman walking near the Town Clock in downtown Santa Cruz, local public safety group Take Back Santa Cruz (“TBSC”) is inviting the community to peacefully assemble to support each other and our local businesses in taking back our streets for a safer downtown. TBSC seeks to bring attention to the issue of violence against women in the Santa Cruz, and to compel the County of Santa Cruz to release millions of dollars of unspent mental health funds to help address the ongoing mental health crisis facing the City.
The event will begin on Friday, May 4, 2018 at 7:00pm at the Town Clock in downtown Santa Cruz. Participants will gather at the Clock, then walk together along Pacific Avenue, ending at the Santa Cruz Police Department on Center Street at 8:00pm. The start time of 7:00pm was specifically chosen because it was at that time on Wednesday, April 25, 2018—in daylight and on a busy street—that Daisuke Muro grabbed 28-year-old Sarah Shinsky as she was walking home from work. Muro threw Shinsky to the ground and attempted to tear her jeans off. Shinsky screamed and fought Muro off for several minutes before passersby intervened. Muro then stripped off his clothes, began masturbating, and assaulted the officer attempting to arrest him.
The attack on Shinsky is one of numerous unprovoked attacks on women in Santa Cruz over the years, the most tragic being the murder of local businesswoman Shannon Collins in 2012. TBSC urges City and County government to take steps to prevent further violence. Over 2,000 signatures have already been collected on a petition demanding accountability from the County, which is responsible for Health & Human Services, including mental health care.
Contact Information: Ashley Scontriano (Event Organizer) 831-251 4088; info@takebacksantacruz.org
About: Take Back Santa Cruz™ is a 501c3 non-profit, all volunteer, grass roots, community organization focused on creating awareness and working together to build a better, safer and cleaner Santa Cruz County.