I live in North Park, on a relatively active street. It’s a great niche in the community. I know all my neighbors. Yes, I even know all of their names, although I think I have to re-introduce myself each time I run into the older lady next door.
We hang out, we chat, we borrow this and that from each other – all the things you do with friendly neighbors. Our few blocks even turn into a big street party on Halloween as literally hundreds of kids come trick-or-treating.
Even with all the fun in our area, we have had some events over the years that have not been so enjoyable. A few of our homes have been broken into, one caught on fire, a couple of vehicles have been vandalized and one was even stolen. Because of these events, our friendships have evolved and strengthened as we watch each other’s properties for any suspicious activities.
Just like my small community, the greater LGBT community is blessed with many great neighbors. Yet just like my open neighborhood, there have been some recent reminders in our community that vigilance is still warranted.
At the beginning of the year, an irritated bar patron at Spin Nightclub took his frustrations out by shooting random shots at people outside the club. A month later at Rich’s Nightclub, a guy was attacked by what could be described as homeless thugs.
These were not necessarily hate crimes. There are others that have been more targeted.
At the end of January, a group went on a random paintball spree. In two days, they attacked six different times in Hillcrest, North Park and Mid City. The first one, in front of The LGBT Center, is being considered a hate crime. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt.
Then just a few weeks ago, a group of friends walking home in the Mid City area were attacked by several others. Three of the guys were assaulted during the fight that began with derogatory comments about the victim’s sexual orientation.
From one perspective, these are just a handful of random acts of violence. I admit, not all are because the victims were gay. But they were in our community, at our local hangouts and against our own. And for the first two months of the year, that’s too many.
“These … incidents are proof that violence is still the way for some people,” said Don Mitchell, Executive Director of the Stonewall Citizens Patrol, a volunteer neighborhood watch patrol group operating in the highly diverse Hillcrest, North Park and University Heights areas. “The police do all they can to protect our community, but they need our help. It is incidents like these that we wish to reduce, and we do that by being visible, educating the community and promoting awareness of violent street crime.”
The Stonewall Citizens Patrol as well as the San Diego Police department offer several guidelines to help you stay safe and be aware. Keep these recommendations in mind when going out for a walk:
• Don’t go out under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They will impair your judgment and reactions.
• Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Walk with a friend, family member or big dog.
• Don’t go out alone at night, venture into unfamiliar or dark places, take shortcuts, talk to or accept rides with strangers, or hitch rides. Don’t walk in or near alleys, on deserted streets, near dark doorways or shrubbery.
• Don’t approach vehicles even if the occupants say they need directions or assistance.
• Avoid verbal confrontations. They may lead to physical altercations.
• Carry a working cell phone. Otherwise know where phones are located along your route. 911 calls are free but carry change for other calls for assistance.
• Carry only necessities, i.e., identification (not a Social Security card), medical information, names and phone numbers of people to call in emergencies, some cash and a credit card.
• Don’t carry a gun, knife, club, chemical spray or other weapon. Some are illegal to carry and all could be used against you.
The San Diego Police even have an extended list for when you are out running:
• Vary your route.
• Don’t run on deserted streets or trails.
• Don’t run at dusk or at night. If you do, then stay in well-lit areas.
• Run with a partner or a dog.
• Don’t wear a headset. Not only won’t you hear someone approaching, but you may get so distracted by what you’re listening to that you won’t be aware of your surroundings.
Unfortunately, not every crime is preventable. After all, who knew someone was going to come by and start shooting paint balls at them? But staying aware and alert of your surroundings – just like me and my neighbors – can create a safer and more secure community.
Jonathan Young, Editor
San Diego LGBT Weekly
