Cypress Hill community members rally for more public safety in Highland Park following homicide investigation

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Residents of Cypress Hill neighborhood near the Highland Park are calling for more to be done for public safety for residents in the park. The group held a rally that that commemorated the life of 43-year-old Marie Lydia Ramos, who was found dead in the park on July 5. Her death now the subject of a homicide investigation according to police, with those attending the rally claiming she was struck from behind by an assailant. While no arrest has been made in that case, resident say they believe it was not an isolated incident. "It was still daylight, a man I had never seen before ran up from behind. I had to confront him he was wearing surgical gloves and a hood it was very unsettling; I've never had an experience like that where I've felt so unsafe, so targeted as a woman alone," said Highland Park resident Emily Walker. Walker tells News 12 she tried reporting the incident to the park and the police but was told that since the man did not attack her, she was unable to report the incident, leaving her feeling frustrated. Rally organizer Tami Green says she wants increase police presence, and better communication with the public on the incidents in the park, saying for a month, police did not notify those in the area that the crime was a homicide. "We heard it was an overdose, and all this time women, mothers, elderly people are walking in this park," she said. "Finding out what happened here, it was re-traumatizing, I was just starting to feel safe going to the park again, and I feel there should be more here, from cameras, to parks patrols to police to protect this place," she said. Walker says she believes budget cuts from the parks budget are to blame for the lack of patrols or safety infrastructure. "This budget cycle we lost 80% of the work force in our natural areas and did not receive an additional 250 park staff advocates had been asking for," Walker said adding "more eyes on the park means a safer park. I firmly believe that." "