a gal was attacked at knifepoint and cut right in front of the Mercury offices two nights ago. Maybe we can see if she will come in and show you.

Just heard this from one reader:

"I just read the blog about the rumors circulation about rapes in the 30th and Burnside are, my neighborhood (I live at 28th and stark).My friend who lives at 27th and Morrison had to call the cops last friday night in response to a some dude who was standing in the middle of the road masturbating right outside her house. Her and her roommate were walking home from the bar at about 2ish and saw the man with his pants down. Her roommate yelled at the guy to pull up his pants, at that point he began to wank it. They called the police who arrived in about 2 minutes. The police reported to her that they had a complaint earlier in the evening of the same thing at 28th and Stark. She called me that night to let me know. I don't know of any sexual assaults, but people should be looking out for this guy. Hopefully he is just a perv...and not a violent perv."

And this from another:

"Hey,
Just read your blog about the sexual assaults on Burnside. I don't know for sure, but I originally heard about it on Craigslist in the missed connections section. Everyone I have spoken to about it, has also cited Craigslist as their informant. As for the businesses (Beulahland and Care the only ones I have personally seen post signs), I have no idea where they got their information. Probably Craigslist as well. Seems sketchy and maybe like someone is an asshole who thinks it's funny to spread rumors about sexual assault.
-- Jamie"

I've gotten this posted on Myspace three times (re: 28th & Burnside rapes).

Everyone who has reposted has done so with a grain of salt, saying "this might be baseless, and this exacerbates the fear/rape culture, BUT...". My gut tells me it's mostly a fabrication, but my gut is not always right (most recently regarding my tolerance level for PBR pitchers).

What bushes are these? Is this takling place in the Holman's/Laurelhurst Theater/ Whole Foods parking lots? Any neighbor reports?

Don't worry, I'm clutching my pearls and taking this to heart, but.... really? REALLY?! Is this how easy it is to scare the fuckin' bejeezus out of people in this town?

WHy can't the "rumours" include the tip "be sure to carry some large, tetanus-causing blunt object to beat any potential attackers with". Now THAT would cause some interesting mayhem.

Fuck this fear/rape culture. Nothing is happening at 28th and Burnside expect cheap movies and overpriced vintage clothing/condos.

Okay. So Brian Schmautz now says:

"One person came forward to report an sexual assault that occurred a few weeks ago. That person did an interview with KOIN. There are no other victims that have come forward."

That's one more victim than we had before. I remove my calling of "bullshit," and replace it with a call of "understandable exaggeration."

Hey folks, I have some information on the attacks on NE 28th. I work at Beulahland. We got our information about the attack that started the whirlwind straight from the girl who was knocked out and raped. After talking to many of our customers, friends and co-workers in the neighborhood I have not been able to find anyone else who was attacked in the same way. I believe that this one incident spurred most of the rumors. The other reports I have confirmed were of a guy masturbating at people in the street and of a gal mugged at knife point north of Sandy. Are they all connected? Maybe? But to me it doesn't seem likely. I have personally seen weirdos jacking off in the street 3 or 4 times and been mugged twice in the SE/NE neighborhoods of P-Town. We have to remember that as small as Portland feels we still live in a city. One that comes along with crime and violent crime and the wackos and weirdos that nature sees fit to create.
So, please take care of yourself and pay attention. If you're wasted take a cab home it's worth the $20. Until we can find someone else to come forward about a violent rape I am convinced these assaults are isolated incidents but serve to remind us to be more careful!!

Thank you for the last post (person who works at Beulahland) -- sounds reasonable and made me breath somewhat easier as a single woman who lives in the neighborhood. I had heard the same story (but multiplied by 3 or 4 victims) and was very scared due to the fearlessness of the (seemingly serial) perpetrator. Also, as someone who works with women who are raped etc., it's important to remember that there is still a large percentage of rapes that go unreported (for a wide variety of reasons). Even though "stranger rapes" are more likely to be reported than acquaintance rapes, we cannot rely too heavily or solely on police reports (which I saw people doing on another blog about this more so than this one) -- obviously tricky when trying figure out fact from rumor though. Hope everyone stays safe, regardless . . .