A large police presence was evident in Bay Ridge Thursday, a day after a man sexually assaulted an off-duty police officer at knifepoint inside her apartment.

According to authorities, the attacker was waiting for the officer in her apartment around 7 p.m. Wednesday. Published reports say the masked attacker used a knife. Helicopters, K-9 units and cops scoured the area, but the suspect eluded police.

The officer, who could not identify her attacker, was taken to Lutheran Medical Center.

The incident has left Bay Ridge women on edge.

"I bike, I run ... It's never been a problem. I have never been concerned," said resident Providencia Cenzi. "To hear that somebody raped a police officer is beyond my comprehension."Investigators say they do not know if the attacker knew his victim was a police officer.