Police are searching for a man who attacked and attempted to rape a woman in Central Park early Saturday morning, amid a rise in crime at the popular New York City landmark. According to the NYPD, the 38-year-old woman was near 85 East Drive in the northern part of the park around 5:10 a.m. when an unidentified man approached, pushed her over a metal fence, repeatedly punched her, and attempted to rape her before fleeing on a bicycle northbound on 5th Avenue. Surveillance images show the suspect wearing a hoodie, a backward baseball cap, and carrying a large food delivery bag. The victim was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition. Crime in Central Park has surged, with reports indicating a 13% increase in incidents compared to last year and a 34% rise compared to two years ago. Robberies have more than doubled, with 37 reported cases so far in 2024. Locals who frequent the park expressed concerns about safety, especially during early morning or late-night hours, with some blaming city policies like bail reform for enabling criminal activity. Julissa Suarez, a park visitor, mentioned avoiding certain areas without her dog due to the presence of individuals involved in drug activity, stating that police are limited in their ability to act under current bail laws. Others highlighted the lack of lighting in certain areas of the park as a safety issue, with one runner noting the dangers of exercising in the park at night, particularly for women. While some park-goers, like 27-year-old Maxine, say they feel safe during daylight hours, concerns about crime persist, especially after dark. No arrests have been made in the case as of Sunday.