Police, neighbors determined to keep Lake Phalen area safe

St. Paul police have investigators from three separate units looking into cases in which young assailants have attacked people with baseball bats in the city's Lake Phalen area.

Police on Monday night said they apprehended four suspects who were responsible for an attack on two victims who were walking near the lake Monday evening. That attack occurred just as a vigil was starting for a woman who has cancer and was beaten at the lake on Friday.

The victims in Monday's attack were not seriously hurt.

The suspects apprehended Monday night appeared to match the description of three of the assailants in Friday's assault, police said.

The four taken into custody Monday brought the number to seven who have been arrested in connection with the two beatings.

Police spokesman Peter Panos said today it was too early to say if the suspects arrested on Monday were related to the savage beating of the woman who was out walking last week.

"The neighborhood is a bit on edge, but they also are relieved" that we've taken suspects into custody, Panos said. "We have the gang unit, the juvenile crime unit and the homicide unit working last night's crime."

"With 10 patrol cars, that's 20 eyes at best," Panos said. "They have 200 eyes."

In addition to extra police, St. Paul Parks and Recreation security officers will be making more rounds and spending more time keeping an eye on the Lake Phalen area. Recreation Center employees have been reminded to report suspicious activity to police, said Brad Meyer, a parks department spokesman.

"We want to keep the park safe and secure as it always has been," Meyer said. "Neighbors want to take back the park."

Activities at the beach, golf course, recreation center and adjacent ball fields have continues as usual.

At Monday's vigil, some were shaken upon hearing about the second attack. But many of the nearly 50 people in attendance appeared even more motivated in their walk from a church to the spot where the woman, identified only as Tammie, was brutally beaten late Friday while walking along Lake Phalen.

Tammie's hands and her left forearm were broken in Friday's attack and her left middle finger was severed, Nelson said. Her attackers are still at large.

"She's a little angry, but mostly hurt. She's a survivor," Nelson said about Tammie, who is recuperating at home.

"She wants us to pray for peace," said the Rev. Howard Dotson of nearby Arlington Hills Presbyterian Church. "We're all entitled to be safe."

St. Paul police Cmdr. Kevin Casper offered more words of encouragement: "It's through community involvement that helps solve crimes."