Dozens of women on the Northwest Side of the city held a "Solidarity Walk" Thursday in reaction to a pair of recent attacks.
The women say they are worried about their safety after two female off-duty police officers were attacked over the past week on the Sauganash Trail.
The first incident happened Aug. 27 at around 11 a.m. Tuesday in Caldwell Woods near Devon and Milwaukee Avenues
The second incident happened on Aug. 29 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. near West Peterson Avenue and North Pulaski Road.
Thursday's walk was described as a way to take back their trail.
"I'm definitely not going anywhere by myself," Jackie Dorris said. "If I'm back on the trail, I'm with my husband or another friend."
Police have released a sketch (below) of a suspect they're looking for, described as a Hispanic man, 22-26 years old, around 5-foot-7, and between 140-150 pounds with short black hair.
Police say the suspect was riding a bike when he approached the women, grabbed them, and attempted to take off their clothes, but they managed to fight him off.
"We're gonna keep pushing those baby buggies, riding those bikes, walking those dogs, we're not gonna step getting our exercise and not letting an incident like this frighten people," 39th Ward Alderman Margaret Loreno said.
Some of the women say they are considering taking self-defense classes in light of the recent attacks.
The Cook County Forest Preserve has stepped up patrols along the path. The Park District is also coordinating walking groups so that the women don't have to walk the trail alone.
