san diego
Vandals damage Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol vehicles a second time
Four tires on two vehicles punctured, reward offered
Published Thursday, 18-Dec-2008 in issue 1095
On the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 10, Ben Gomez, logistics director of Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol (SCP) found that both of the neighborhood patrol unit’s vehicles had been vandalized. Each of the two Ford SUVs had two punctured tires. At the time of discovery, the vehicles’ tires were completely flat, rendering them inoperable. Total damage to both vehicles is estimated at $1,000. This most recent case is the second incident of vandalism to SCP’s vehicles. Earlier this fall, a tire on one of the SUVs was slashed while parked at Brians’ American Eatery in the early evening hours.
“These acts of vandalism will not deter our mission in assisting the San Diego Police Department with our weekly patrols,” said Bob Lehman, founder of Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol.
San Diego LGBT Pride, a supporter of Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol, is contributing $500 toward the costs of the repairs. Lehman is covering the remaining $500. Seeking to end these repeated attempts to deter SCP’s efforts, Lehman is also offering a $1,000 reward for any legitimate information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the persons who vandalized the SUVs.
“We would like to thank the entire community for their support and generosity,” Gomez said. “We are eager to get back on to the streets so we can continue with our mission.”
The Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol was formed in 2006 after attacks on patrons outside the San Diego LGBT Pride Festival prompted the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) and other concerned community members to take action. Today, working in collaboration with the San Diego Police Department, Stonewall’s volunteer units patrol the streets and alleys of Hillcrest and surrounding neighborhoods, monitoring vulnerable locations and helping deter potential violent and/or criminal activity by acting as an immediate gateway and information resource to the local law enforcement officials.
Any individual with information on the vandalism of the two patrol vehicles is asked to contact the Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol. For contact information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1095. 
Steve Sallis
says:
I'm curious about this organization. I don't ever hear about their successes, or any crimes that were prevented or interrupted. I heard about the slashed tires and it made me curious about the location of the vehicles and the timing of the vandalism, reportedly done after dark. If it was after dark, wouldn't they normally be on patrol? The photos appear to show them parked on a public street, possibly in a residential neighborhood. Is there a manpower or financial issue or something else that prevents them from being used for patrol every evening? Are they used for patrol purposes only? I imagine some will think my questions to be accusatory in nature, but they are not meant that way. I think it is healthy to question those organizations who are very visible symbols of the LGBT community. The SCP website has no information about incidents, number of volunteers, costs, payroll, organizational structure, funding sources, whether or not they are a non-profit, etc. The most recent entry in the Current News section is from October 16th. It would be nice to have more complete information about this group put out to our community.
Dec 18, 2008 7:18 PM
Also Curious
says:
I'm also curious about what exactly this organization does. Unless the words "San Diego Police" are on the vehicle, this is the equivalent of key-throwing mall security guards. I have never heard of anyone helped by this patrol, and I doubt that homophobic thug-types give a damn.
Dec 20, 2008 4:06 PM
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