The New York Police Department has increased patrols in Central Park after three muggings took place there last weekend. Three people were mugged at gunpoint Sunday morning near East 102nd Street. Police are searching for three suspects – one man was arrested, but released after he wasn’t picked in a line-up. The released suspect is facing a weapons charge because policemen say he had a .38-caliber revolver in his possession.

Back on November 2, another man was attacked near the East Drive and the Great Lawn. A week before that, there was another mugging near 97th Street and West Drive. Police do not believe the incidents are connected – I don’t think so either, however this is a reminder that with the Park getting dark by around five pm now it is advisable to take some common sense precautions.

Stick to parts of the Park drive that are well populated with dog walkers and other runners – in general the farther north you get in the park the sparser the crowds, this applies especially after seven PM in the winter months. The NYRR has a number of running groups that meet every night that accommodate runners at a variety of speeds and distances.