As Castro Community on Patrol volunteers pass out safety fliers and whistles, we are often asked whether hookup crimes are on the increase. The answer is that we don't know because so many crimes go unreported. We know that they happen, but so many go unreported that there is no way to view trends accurately.
The Internet has taken blame for creating new types of crimes. If an assault, robbery, or homicide can be connected to an online hookup from Craigslist or Grindr, the public or media are ready to blame technology. The truth is that meeting strangers in gay or straight bars has occasionally led to unfortunate circumstances for centuries. Technology simply gives us more ways to meet strangers. San Francisco Police Sergeant Chuck Limbert explains, "Now we can order in and request what we want just like selecting the toppings on a pizza that is delivered to our door." There is no proof that the number of technology-based crimes is any worse than old-fashioned face-to-face meetings. Rather than fearing technology, we can learn to use it to protect ourselves for those few cases in which a date turns into a crime.
We should all learn to record details about potential dates before we meet. When you do so, remember that the records must exist somewhere outside your smartphone, because there is a pretty good chance that your phone will be one of the first things stolen. A picture inside the phone that has not been placed on the Internet is the same as no picture at all. At the very least, e-mail the information to yourself or text a friend. Once the information is on the Internet, it can be recovered, even if your phone has gone missing.
It is also important to keep at least one of your friends updated with all of your screen names and which social sites you use. They need to bring this information to the police if something happens to you, as the police cannot track contacts without the screen name and site details. (Your friend does not need your passwords.)
What should you capture? If you meet someone online, e-mail a screen-capture of the profile to yourself or leave a printed copy at your home if you will be meeting elsewhere. At the very least get the site and the person's screen name into an e-mail or text. When meeting in person, try to get a photo of the person. If the person is reluctant about having their picture taken (maybe they have good reasons to be on the down low) at least e-mail the name they gave you, a brief description and when/where you met.
Underreporting
Now, let's talk about that other pesky problem. There is too much unreported crime. People often come to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence or CCOP with tales of fairly serious crimes (assaults, robberies, date rapes, etc.) that were never reported to the police. There are many reasons for the under-reporting. People are embarrassed that they found themselves in a situation they could have avoided. Perhaps there is fear that the police will be disrespectful because of the victim's sexual orientation. Maybe the victim is not out to family or co-workers. Or, there is a feeling that nothing can be done to arrest the suspect who has already left.
Failure to report crimes increases the danger for everyone, because the police don't know where to focus their resources. The LGBT community becomes less of a target when criminals know that crimes will be reported and that people are watching out for each other's well being. The essence of the Stop the Violence program run by CCOP and the Sisters is that violence against our community is not tolerated. We need to do a better job of reporting to turn that from a slogan to action.
A safe community is built with layers. The layer with the most victims is the uninformed public that leaves the house unprepared. Above that layer is the informed public who is willing to read a safety flier or take a self-defense seminar to learn how to take care of the safety of themselves and their friends. The next layer involves a trained public in the form of neighborhood watch and community on patrol groups that provide extra eyes and ears. The next layer is made up of professionals, such as the Patrol Special Police and security guards. The final layer consists of the public safety officials such as the police, paramedics, district attorney, etc. All of these layers must work together to create a safe neighborhood.
Reporting involves a degree of trust and respect. If you ever feel that you were not treated well when reporting a crime anywhere in the city, please contact us ( [email protected]). Castro Patrol works closely with the SFPD and the district attorney's office to improve how the police and LGBT community work together.
Please consider becoming a CCOP patroller. Our next training is January 19. Details are at http://www.castropatrol.org.
Finally, "like" the Stop the Violence page on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/StopTheViolenceSF) to be kept up to date on crimes and the latest safety information. Together, we can make a difference.
Greg Carey is the chair of Castro Community on Patrol, a program of San Francisco SAFE (Safety Awareness for Everyone). Carey moved to the Bay Area from South Dakota in 1991 after being a founding member of the Sioux Empire Gay and Lesbian Coalition in 1978 and Eastern Dakota AIDS Network in 1985.