Alleged Rape at Surveillance-Monitored Rec Center Shocks Community

The Special Victims Unit on Thursday continued its investigation of a reported rape inside a South Philadelphia recreation facility of a 14-year-old girl by a schoolmate.

The girl told police she was assaulted Wednesday afternoon at Vare Recreation Center by a 14-year-old boy who attends her school, Universal Audenried Charter High School.

Vare employees and volunteers on Thursday declined to comment, and top officials in the city's Parks and Recreation Department either declined to comment or did not return phone messages.

Officials at Universal Audenried issued a statement.

"We were shocked and saddened to learn that one of our freshman scholars was allegedly assaulted at one of the area recreation centers by a fellow classmate after school yesterday," the statement read. "Our hearts go out to the victim and her family, and we will not tolerate nor accept this type of behavior in our community."

Nicole Kelly, 24, who lives near the rec center at 26th and Morris Streets and uses its pool in the summer, said she had never had any problems there. "Every time I came here I was safe, but I won't say it's 100 percent safe," she said.

A woman walking past the rec center said: "I don't see how that could happen. They monitor everybody."

Multiple signs posted inside and out read: "Facility monitored by video surveillance."