Mission District residents who live near the site of a violent sexual assault will meet with city officials this evening to discuss how they may help with the investigation and ways to make the area safer, according to the Fair Oaks Community Coalition.

A woman was sexually assaulted at about 6:30 a.m. Thursday by a man who approached her on 24th Street. She was raped around the corner on Fair Oaks Street.

Another woman was assaulted in November while walking along 24th Street.

"The neighbors are all obviously very shocked and upset about it, and we want to do something," said Andy Segal, Fair Oaks Community Coalition president. "Our feeling is that this is not what San Francisco is about, and this meeting is to discuss how we can work to make it better."

San Francisco police are asking for the public's help to identify the attacker, who is described as a black man in his mid-30s. He is between 5 feet 9 and 6 feet tall with a medium build. At the time of the most recent attack, he was wearing a black hoodie sweatshirt and dark pants.

In both cases, police said, the women were attacked from behind between 3 and 6:30 a.m.

The man robbed the women before running away, police said.

Although he could not give details about the attacks, Officer Albie Esparza, a spokesman for San Francisco police, said that in both cases, the suspect was "very violent" toward the victims.

The Fair Oaks Community Coalition meeting will be at 7 tonight at St. James Catholic Church at Guerrero and 23rd streets.

Segal said neighbors will discuss the need for better lighting. They also expect an update on the investigation and instruction on how to help the victims.

The San Francisco Police Department's Special Victims Unit is investigating the assaults. Anyone with any information should call the anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444. You may also text the information to TIP444 from a mobile phone, with "SFPD" in the beginning of the message.