Carbondale police continue investigation of sexual assault, offer resources and safety tips

The Carbondale Police Department is continuing to investigate the sexual assault that occurred on Nov. 2 and put out a news release for an update to the public. 

Officers have received substantial information from the community and are working with other agencies for a thorough and comprehensive investigation. 

Some cases of sexual assault require time to fully investigate and the Carbondale PD is dedicated to uncovering the facts in the case and they appreciate the continued support from the public as they work to bring justice to the victim and enhance community safety. 

In the release, the Carbondale PD states this was a traumatic and emotional event for both the survivor and the community, to varying degrees of fear and frustration. They’ve put together a list of resources for the community:

• The Aspen Hope Center at aspenhopecenter.org/. 
• Mind Springs Health at mindspringshealth.org/appointment/. 
• Advocate Safehouse at advocatesafehouseproject.org/. 
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Carbondale PD is also asking for a united effort on vigilance and support from all community members to make Carbondale safer. 

Carbondale PD stated that working together can strengthen neighborhoods, deter crime and enhance everyone’s quality of life, and ask that the community stay informed, report suspicious activity and look out for one another.

Here are some safety tips from Carbondale PD:

• Awareness: always be aware of your surroundings, especially when alone or in an unfamiliar area. Trust your instincts and remove yourself from situations or places that don’t feel right.  
• Stay connected: consider using the buddy system or notifying friends and family when you’re out, especially when returning late or walking home alone. 
• Well-lit areas: Choose well-lit, populated paths whenever possible, especially in the evening and in the winter, as the sun goes down earlier. 
• Lock up: Always lock doors and windows at home and in your vehicle. 
• Report suspicious activity: If you see any suspicious activity or behavior, don’t hesitate to report it to the police. Quick reporting means effective responding and keeping the community safe. 

Due to survivor privacy considerations and the ongoing investigation, no additional information will be released at this time. If anyone has further information, please call the Carbondale Police Department at 970-963-2662.