Sometime after midnight early Monday morning, a lesbian was assaulted on the corner of Park Boulevard and Adams Avenue after leaving Bourbon Street, a popular gay and lesbian bar in University Heights. According to Lt. Margaret Schaufelberger of the San Diego Police Department, the man punched the victim in the face after she refused to give him money and cigarettes and then fled the scene.

The suspect is described as a white male between 30-35, approximately 5 feet 6 inches, with an average build and blond hair. According to witnesses, despite looking unkempt, the man was clean shaven, which signaled to police that he was not likely to be homeless.

The victim was with a small group of women at the time of the assault. No money or property was lost, and there was no mention of the victim needing medical assistance in the report.

This incident is just one of the more than 60 that have taken place throughout the Hillcrest/North Park area in recent months. While these crimes do not appear to be hate-related, there’s no doubt that the Hillcrest area is being targeted.

On Tuesday, the Stonewall Citizens Patrol – an organization created by GLBT veterans in response to the hate crimes that took place in Balboa Park during Pride weekend – held a safety meeting at The Center for owners and managers of GLBT bars and nightclubs to discuss how it can help businesses protect customers. Out of the dozens of GLBT bars, restaurants and nightclubs in San Diego that were extended an invitation, only six were represented at the meeting. Our thanks go out to Martinis Above Fourth, Lei Lounge/Bourbon Street, Urban Mo’s/Baja Betty’s, Pecs and the Caliph for attending.

If you or a member of your staff couldn’t attend this important meeting, contact the Stonewall Citizens Patrol to find out what you missed. Taking simple precautions such as reporting burned-out streetlights, informing security about recent criminal activity in the area, posting signs on exit doors, and making simple announcements at last call to remind customers to be safe when walking to cars or nearby residences can help reduce crime and potentially save lives.

Bars, before we let you off the hook – what happened to the Tavern Guild?

Re-established in June ’05 by bartenders Big Mike and Leo Moore, the Tavern Guild Roundtable of San Diego brings together owners and employees of GBLT bars, clubs and restaurants to address industry-related issues and cooperate in community fund-raising. There has been little to no organization by the Tavern Guild around the current escalation of crime in the area affecting members of the community who patronize our many bars and nightclubs.

We are in no way pinning the responsibility on the bars, however. Even with the publicity surrounding the rise in criminal activity in the area, we still have members of the community stumbling home, walking alone and carry large sums of cash. Why not just paint a target on your back?

If you have information about the crime mentioned above, please contact Lt. Schaufelberger and the SDPD by calling (619) 692-4859.

For more information on the Stonewall Citizens Patrol, call (619) 269-4992 or e-mail stonewallcitizens@cox.net.

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