Frustrated Irvington Residents Hold Vigil After 2 Sex Assaults (VIDEO)

IRVINGTON, NJ — A suspect has been apprehended after a recent pair of sex assaults in Irvington. But some community members are accusing local authorities of dragging their feet when it comes to informing residents about the investigation – and they hit the streets earlier this week to make their frustrations known.

Caream Davis, 46, of Irvington, has been charged with several criminal offenses in connection with two assaults that took place in the township on Monday, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Irvington Public Safety Department.

Specific details of the assaults are being withheld to protect the identity of the victims, one of whom is an adult and one of whom is a juvenile, authorities said.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Davis last week in Richmond, Virginia. See Related: Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 2 In Irvington, Including Juvenile

Since news of the assaults broke, several local residents have been demanding more details about the investigation, alleging that the city failed to inform them about a potential danger in their neighborhood.

On Monday evening, the community held a prayer vigil at Ellis and 19th Avenues, close to where one of the assaults took place, activists said.

The vigil – which was held to show support and love for the victims – included impassioned speeches from some of their family members. It also drew supporters from other nearby municipalities, including Newark.

Essex County groups and activists that helped to lead Monday’s “prayer vigil for healing and unity” included New Direction, One Hood, the Nation of Islam, the Republic of New Afrika, Tony Olajawon, Kathleen Witcher, Bashir Muhammad Ptah Akinyele, Dawn Haynes and Sharif Amenhotep.

Witcher, a retired educator who serves as the president of the Irvington NAACP, spoke about the vigil during the Irvington Town Council meeting earlier this week, telling council members that the group was concerned about the safety and protection of local children.

"I was reminded that many years before there was an incident involving a very young child sexually assaulted by a man in that vicinity," Witcher told Patch. "At that time, years ago, little attention was given."

Internet radio show ALL Politics R Local – which was present at Monday's vigil – has posted video footage that can be seen below or viewed online here.

Patch reached out to Irvington township officials seeking comment about the vigil and the police investigation. We will update this article with any reply we receive.

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