People on edge after Wascana Park attack

People are scared and frustrated after a woman was sexually assaulted last Friday in Wascana Park.

Regina police allege a 19-year-old man rode up on a scooter behind a woman, tackled her and pulled her into the bush, where he sexually assaulted her.

The 33-year-old woman was out for a jog at around 7:15 p.m.

Her attacker stopped when she attracted people to the bush by yelling for help. The suspect was arrested when police arrived.

Devona Ager is at the park every day, rain or shine. She said she might consider carrying protection after the attack.

“It’s concerning,” said Ager. “I walk the park every day, but I am older so (potential attackers) probably aren’t after me. But they shouldn’t be after anyone.”

Ager said she sees police officers every once and a while, travelling in trucks and on bicycles. She said while evening drivethroughs could help the situation, they will never catch every situation in the moment.

“What can you do? You can’t have someone following you around 24/7,” said Ager.

Ager feels sympathetic towards the woman who was attacked.

“I feel very sorry for her — very, very sorry for her,” said Ager. “I guess it has entered my mind that I’m out here every day. I’m just wondering if I’ve seen this dude before.”

Hannah Barry just moved back to Regina after living in Europe for the past three years. She said she feels upset that this is the first news she’s heard about her hometown since she got back.

“I do not feel safe walking here. I will definitely need a friend,” said Barry. “I am always looking around to make sure that nobody is coming and making sure that I have my head up.”

Barry said that if she is alone, she always has headphones on which she can switch onto a setting that can mic up the noise going on around her so she can hear who is approaching.

Barry was frustrated seeing a situation occur when someone was just trying to get some exercise. She said extra security rounds in the evening would help.

Another woman out for a stroll said she always has her eyes peeled while in the park.

“It’s happened before,” said Lori, who noted these attacks had happened more than once. “I just come when there’s more people here during the day.”

Even though it is still fairly light out during the evenings, Lori said she still won’t come anytime after 6 p.m. She encourages everyone else to go out in the light of day.

“There’s not much you can do. It’s a crime of opportunity,” she said.

She said there are typically conservation officers and police officers making rounds when she is there going on her daily walks.

“I see the cops; I see them on their bikes. I have seen cop cars (and) I have also seen them walking as well,” Lori said. “So there is security but there is also the conservation officers. There’s lots of security.”

The suspect was charged with sexual assault by choking, suffocating or strangling. He mad his first court appearance on Monday.