SAN ANTONIO – Women visiting Hardberger Park on Wednesday morning were being extra cautious in the wake of a reported rape.
A female jogger reported the attack to San Antonio police Tuesday morning, saying that a stranger had grabbed her on one of the trails and sexually assaulted her.
Police on Tuesday said that they had detained a person of interest in the case, but told KSAT 12 News on Wednesday morning that they released the person and hadn't made any arrests.
Related: SAPD offers safety tips after sex assault reported at Hardberger Park
Park visitors are doing what they can to stay safe.
"Take more precautions. Absolutely," said Andrea Slater, who showed up for her regular walk with a friend. "I see a lot of people walking here, but sometimes there's space between them, and I don't want to take a chance."
The buddy system appears to be in full effect for many park visitors.
"We do always make sure we're together, especially in a nice area like this. That was on my mind," said Jessica Luna, who was jogging with a friend.
Luna and her running buddy, Joanna Martinez, are members of the military. They said they are ready to fight, if necessary.
"Myself, as a boxer, I always tell my female friends, 'You have to have a self-defense class,'" Martinez said.
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To make people feel more at ease, and to watch out for trouble, San Antonio Park Police have begun stepping up their patrols at the North Side park.
Grace Berios said she hadn't heard the news until she arrived for her regular morning walk with her son, Teddy.
While news of the attack made her somewhat nervous, Berios said she is not letting fear get in her way.
"Just as with anything, you keep on going," she said. "That would kind of defeat the purpose if they win like that. And then people stop and get scared."
