There is a major problem in San Diego: We are down 360 police officers. Officers are leaving every month to go to other cities where there is better pay. Maybe it’s time to get a measure on the ballot next election in support of more police. What do you think?

Well, my pal Big Mike and I spent Thanksgiving Day together, and while I deeply appreciate all the invitations, my stomach could only handle so much food!

First, we stopped by at the First Unitarian Universalist Church for the annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner, which is held for people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, etc., as well as those who are homeless. The event was full of love and warmth.

This dinner has been going on since 1985, when it was held at the home of Ben F. Dillingham. It’s great to see longtime volunteers such as John Keasler and Gloria Johnson still out there giving their all. Great job to co-chairs Julia Legaspi of the Imperial Court and Jess San Roque of APICAP.

The San Diego Women’s Chorus was outstanding, and Todd Gloria was a great emcee.

A great big thank you to all the volunteers.

After this event, Mike and I headed to Lei Lounge, where co-owner Michael Mack was holding a fabulous dinner for about a dozen of his friends. Michael and his lovely sister cooked a fab meal.

We ended our evening at the estate of Michael Weiss, owner of Bourbon Street and Lei Lounge. Michael’s San Diego home is the infamous Betty Broderick estate, and they have made it into a showcase home.

We had a great time with Michael Weiss’ fabulous mother, beautiful sister and best friend. All and all it was truly a blessed and wonderful day.

Oh, yes, thank you to Tom Felkner and Bob Lehman for dropping off those two great big pies.

The damp, cold weather didn’t prevent a large turnout for City Councilmember Toni Atkins’ town hall meeting to address the rise in attacks and robberies in our neighborhood.

Councilmember Atkins took the bull by the horns and pulled out all the stops with the attendance of Police Chief Bill Lansdowne and more than a dozen high-ranking officers there to give our community a full report and update.

City Attorney Mike Aguirre also attended Atkins’ community meeting and informed the crowd that the increase in crime in District 3 would be his “No. 1 priority.” Aguirre cited Councilmember Atkins for her leadership on this crime issue.

Also at the meeting were official representatives of Mayor Jerry Sanders, Assemblymember Lori Saldaña, Congressmember Susan Davis and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, who informed me in a telephone conversation of her serious concern about the rising criminal acts, and that she would prosecute the assailants to the “full extent of the law.”

We as a community and as neighbors must continue to form a partnership with the police department and do our part.

Some bars and restaurants “over pour” or let customers leave their businesses drunk. This has to stop.

Door people and security should warn all customers leaving their establishments to be careful and cautious. DJs should be making “safety announcements,” especially at last call. Safety signs should be posted at the exit doors. Call Councilmember Atkins’ office at (619) 236-6633 when streetlights go out.

Please, let’s all do our part. Thank you.

Former Marine Sgt. Bob Lehman has informed me that the Stonewall Citizens Patrol will be out this weekend throughout Hillcrest, North Park and City Heights, so watch out for their Ford Expedition SUV with their Stonewall logo on it.

They will also be patrolling on foot, so give them your support and thank these great citizens of our community who will be out to protect our neighbors.

More than 30 people signed up at this past Monday night’s first training session, which was co-sponsored by the San Diego Police Department, The Center and Councilmember Toni Atkins’ office.

Volunteers are still needed for the Stonewall Citizens Patrol. For more information, phone (619) 850-8698.

One of San Diego’s most respected and hard-working leaders, Dr. Delores Jacobs from The Center, will be honored this coming Saturday, Dec. 2, with the prestigious statewide Equality Leadership Award, which is being presented by our voice in the state Capitol, Equality California.

You’re all invited to the reception, which will take place at the W Hotel (421 West B St.) in its rooftop oasis bar from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Admission is complimentary and the featured speaker will be state Senator Christine Kehoe, with special guests Marcellas Reynolds from the hit TV show “Big Brother” and Doug Spearman from “Noah’s Arc.”

For further information, phone (310) 248-3692 ext. 3.

Congratulations to Delores on this important statewide recognition.

We’re all proud of you!

Entertainer Jackie Beat immediately replied to my last column on her Web page – within hours after it was published.

Jackie stated that it was her comedian “persona” or “bitchy character” that was saying all those negative things and that it was all in fun.

Well, Jackie, calling the leadership and membership of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) “Nelly Nazis” isn’t humorous at all. I may not agree with all the stances GLAAD has taken, but to call any GLBT national organization that is fighting for our rights “Nazis” is not comical or entertaining.

And let me inform you, Jackie, that I’ve raised funds for children with AIDS in Africa. I sadly quote your statement: “I could have been one of those filthy little kids with flies buzzing around them, with the distended bellies and big brown eyes that you see in the late night begging for a dollar a day” – your humor (?), Jackie Beat, not mine.

After calling GLAAD “Nazis” and thinking that putting poor, starving African children in your “act” is comical, I guess you and controversial “Seinfeld” comedian Michael Richards should do an act together. (At least he admitted to going overboard and crossing the line.)

I do apologize for calling you ugly, because in truth you’re more beautiful and talented and much younger than this old queen. Jackie, I may have gotten too mean-spirited when questioning your comedy act and “bitchy persona,” but I stand by my statements that some of your routine is very offensive and unnecessary.

Trust me, I’ve been around for more than 40 years emceeing on many a stage and there is no need to attack GLBT organizations as Nazis or talk so lightly about starving children in Africa.

And to clarify something, people who were offended by your act and writing brought it to my attention. As the president of the International Court System of Canada, the U.S.A. and Mexico, I also could have e-mailed all my friends to write letters defending me, like you did. But I didn’t.

I just hope you can understand my point. And maybe, just maybe, Jackie Beat, think about how some of your comments are hurtful and, yes, harmful. Thank you.

For three years now, those handsome boys of Martinis Above Fourth have raised thousands of dollars to benefit the Queen Eddie Youth Fund, which assists GLBT youth with clothing, school supplies, bus passes, etc.

Every year, there is a most fabulous auction of holiday Christmas wreaths, many of them unbelievable. Stop by Martinis and check them out. The wreath auction will take place Monday, Dec. 11, at 7:00 p.m. at Martinis, with special hunky “wreath boys” in full display and the beautiful Coco LaChine as your special hostess along with the one and only John Laird as top auctioneer.

This year, the Queen Eddie Youth Fund has designated part of the proceeds from the event to purchase a room for a resident at our new Youth Housing Project for homeless GLBT youth. So give ’til it hurts.

For more information, phone (619) 400-4500.

You know, Dennis Mayer, I’ve come to understand why you write continuous letters attacking me and misquoting me because many of your friends have told me you just hate me.

Well, that’s your right, but your false statements about my political stances are unacceptable.

I have fought for full GLBT equality for more than 40 years and I will continue to fight for it. (Most of those years you were comfortable in your safe closet.) Did you know, Mr. Mayer, that most elected officials and city commissioners have to report their lunches, dinners, gifts, etc.? That’s why I write about mine, and most of them are about GLBT issues and advocacy.

I do issue you one challenge, Mr. Mayer, though I am tired of you calling me a “self-appointed leader”: I will raise $1,000 for any charity of your choice when you can come up with any national staff or local positions that I have not been elected to. The ball is in your court.

Lastly, I’ve always considered myself a gay and Latino activist, as I don’t think anyone has the right to call themselves a leader of a community. Yes, others have called me this but I never have. I prefer “activist.”