Exclusive | Serious assaults on elderly skyrocketing in NYC

The most vulnerable New Yorkers are taking it on the chin – and everywhere else – as felony assaults against seniors have doubled since 2019, The Post has learned. The NYPD has recorded 1,228 felony assaults against people aged 65 and over so far this year — compared to only 608 in pre-Covid 2019.The shocking surge comes as assaults in NYC overall are slightly down, by .3%.Things have gotten so bad that some adult children have hired aides to keep their elderly parents from being Gotham’s next crime victim. An Upper West Side resident and retired principal who identified herself as Eileen, 87, said her son hired someone to be with her when she takes walks.“When you get to be 88, you realize you have to protect yourself from your environment in ways younger people don’t know,” the octogenarian said.“Because they are not as easily assaulted as somebody my age.” Attacks on the elderly so far this year run the gamut from random punches to bludgeonings to slashings, according to the NYPD.

Some of the most shocking include:The NYPD has made arrests in 962 of the 1,228 assaults on seniors this year — 78% of cases, a spokesperson said.More than half of the people arrested had a prior arrest record.The spokesperson stressed that the entire criminal justice system has to work to bring the assaults under control.“The NYPD has played their part, arresting individuals who are assaulting vulnerable, elderly New Yorkers,” the spokesperson said.

“Our city must be safe for all New Yorkers, regardless of their age, and we need every aspect of the criminal justice system to play their part to ensure that we stop the revolving door for recidivists.”Poland native Krystyna Gajewska, 66, works as Eileen’s caregiver, said the two are vigilant.“The bottom line — we don’t go at night,” she said.“We stay home.”The caregiver called for more cops walking the beat.

“Not sitting in the car — walking around, looking,” she said, describing wha...