Ocala leaders are trying to restore a popular park to families. A woman was recently raped at Tuscawilla Park, but an established task force is set on making sure that type of violent crime does not happen there again.
The incident happened overnight last Thursday.
Thomas Anthony Degennaro was arrested and police believe he was an acquaintance of the victim. Both are homeless- as transient people often visit the park. That is one of the issues that prompted the launching of "Operation Tuscawilla."
"We are trying to address those issues also trying to address any other problem we have, you know, drugs or crime problems in the neighborhood," Tye Chighizola, City of Ocala Growth Management Director and Operation Tuscawilla Team Coach told TV20.
The citizen and city task force also looks at redevelopment and improvement projects to the park. Chighizola says that next on the agenda is re-establishing a neighborhood watch group.