The files of the survivors of the attack on the Venice Canal against Los Angeles

A woman who was attacked and sexually assaulted while walking on the Venice Canals in April has filed a $5-million lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, alleging that the government has neglected its duty to provide safe streets and protect its citizens. .

Mary Klein, 55, who was severely beaten and left with missing teeth and a blood clot on her brain, was attacked around 10:30 pm on April 6 while walking on the beach. Another woman, Sarah Alden, 53, was also attacked that night and later died.

The police later he was arrested Anthony Francisco Jones, 29; He was charged with two counts of rape, murder, attempted murder, torture, torture and rape. He denied the charges.

The Times rarely identifies victims of sexual assault, but Klein came forward shared his storysaying that people should take it as a wake up call that more social services are needed for people with mental illness and more police protection is needed for everyone.

“That’s why all these crimes are happening – we’re not ignoring the mental health problem that’s going on in our streets,” he said this summer.

In filing his lawsuit, Klein said he was trying to make the point that the government must do more to protect its citizens. The attack on him, he said, has been answered by a public protection activist.

Los Angeles City officials could not be reached for comment on the lawsuit.

Klein filmed himself walking up to Los Angeles City Hall on Friday to file his claim, speaking into the camera as government buildings followed him. A claim against the city can be a precursor to a lawsuit.

“There is a government violation in Los Angeles, California,” he said in his video. “Breach of duty to protect its citizens from criminals and properly support the police.”

“I have lifelong injuries to my jaw, my brain, blood clots in my brain, because of the moment that attacked me on an unguarded street in Venice,” he said. He said the road was dark, without light, a public road where many incidents of violent crime and murder have occurred, and still there are no police officers on the road.

“That’s not the police’s fault,” he said. “These are the people who take money from the police.”

In an interview, he said he is grateful to Los Angeles officials, including Mayor Karen Bass, the City Council and the Los Angeles Police Department. He said he supports Bass’s plan to expand the LAPD by 1,000 officers.

“This is not about City Hall,” he said. “I see they are doing a lot of work to help the community.” But the whole government must do more, he said.