Last Wednesday, July 18, a coalition of community leaders converged in front of Bourbon Street to launch a bar safety campaign by unveiling a flyer with safety tips that community bars and clubs will distribute.

The campaign is the result of a community planning meeting last April to counter crime in Hillcrest and surrounding areas. Violent crime rose by 10 percent in Hillcrest from 2003 to 2006, although the overall index fell by 18 percent, said Joe Dalton of the San Diego Police Department’s Crime Analysis Unit.

“We are here to kick off a campaign to educate bar patrons and keep them safe after they enjoy great food, great entertainment and a good night out with friends,” said San Diego Councilmember Toni Atkins, who was joined by San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne; Nicole Murray-Ramirez, chair of the city of San Diego Human Relations Commission; “Big Mike” Phillips, co-founder of the San Diego GLBT Tavern Guild; Bob Lehman, founder of the Stonewall Citizens Patrol; and director of the Hillcrest Business Association, Warren Simon.

Atkins showed the flyer in front of an audience of news reporters. “The card includes basic personal safety tips that people can use this weekend to help keep themselves safe, [and also] 365 days of the year,” Atkins said. Members of the Tavern Guild began handing the cards out on Pride weekend. Local bars and clubs will be distributing the flyer throughout the year.

Both sides of the postcard-like flyer are titled, “Don’t Be A Victim!” One side of the flyer reads: “Walking home alone after a night out seems harmless, right? WRONG! You could be at risk of being robbed, especially during summer months when crime increases. Always Call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.”

The flyer’s other side lists nine ways to reduce your risk of being a victim of a crime: Always walk in groups, conceal valuables, stay in well-lit areas, pay attention, know where you’re going and make noise if attacked.

Atkins designed the flyer in collaboration with several community leaders including Phillips, Murray-Ramirez, Richard Britton, co-owner of the Numbers nightclub, and Dr. Delores Jacobs, director of the San Diego LGBT Community Center.

Atkins thanked Britton and Nick Mead, co-owner of Numbers and owner of The Flame and Rich’s, for their “time and graphic talents.” Atkins also thanked Mead for donating the printing costs for the first 10,000 copies of the flyer.

There were no reported incidents of violence during Pride; however, earlier this month, on June 14, there were two homicides in District 3, one in North Park and one in Chollas Creek.

In District 3, crime fell in both the violent and property crimes categories from 2003 to 2006, with an overall decrease of 6 percent, Dalton said.