CRIME IN MONTROSE?

Word has been out of several assaults in the Montrose over the summer–relayed through community e-mail forums such as Han-Net, as well as the more informal e-mail networks of friend forwarding to friend. In the midst of the swirling cautions, Juan Manuel Miyar-Laris was murdered on the weekend of July 21, a weekend that saw three other assaults as well. The community is wondering what’s going on–and indeed, it can be very difficult to determine if it really is more dangerous, or if we’re all on hyper-alert.

With emotions around GLBT issues beginning to cook up around the city as we approach the November elections, community leaders are urging both caution and calm.

"I think awareness is always a good thing," says Deborah Squires Rogers, president of the Houston Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus (HGLPC), "and it’s good that people are more aware. Awareness is half the battle. But it can also be a two-fold thing."

Chris Arasin of Q Patrol says that he has not so much noticed a greater amount of criminal and suspicious activity as he’s noticed an increased alertness. There is still the problem that some are reluctant to report assaults to the police, especially if they’re near the bar area, because the victims may still be in the closet. But that sad situation is getting steadily less prevalent.

"A lot of things were reported to us that in the past wouldn’t have been reported," says Arasin. "As far as an increase, I really don’t think so.

"It did worry us when we saw one murder and three assaults in a 36-hour period. We sort of went–what’s going on!? Now things seem to be settling down. With the referendum, there’s a lot more rhetoric that flies around from people who are opposed to it, and that stirs up people. Seeing how riled up people can get, they think let’s join in on it."

Ray Hill says he’s seen through the years that when heated issues come up, it’s best just to be on alert. Plus, a lot of publicity was generated surrounding the murder case in order to bring in suspects, and that often can have an inflammatory effect in the general community.

"What the referendum in ’85 was about wasn’t job protection, it was about getting to say awful things about queers. Those people have not gone away, they have not materially changed. There may be fewer of them, because a whole lot of Houstonians have grown up–it was hard for Dave Wilson to get these signatures. We’re going to go through a period of extremely loud and derogating rhetoric."

The police, in general, are not noticing an increased level of crime, beyond the typical summer activity that comes from school being out.

"Calls for service are way up, but that’s normal for the summer. People are out more, kids are out more, a little more juvenile crime," says Patrol Sergeant Glen Fuhs, who is over the so-called "one-adam-20" beat of lower Montrose, stretching east from Montrose Blvd. toward downtown, between Memorial over to Richmond. He’s been on duty in the Montrose area for 10 years. "But I don’t feel being out on the street that there are any more robberies going on or violent crime."

This was echoed by Sergeant B. Szymborski at the Westheimer substation. "It doesn’t seem like our crime is up," he says. "If anything, it’s down. I’ll be honest with you, I just don’t see it."

"I really haven’t noticed [any increase]," says Lt. John Silva in Police Chief Bradford’s office, "at least from our reports. Crime has been relatively flat in the last couple of years.... We’ve been lucky since 1991–community policing has been working out there [in the Montrose]. And the community has a proven reputation for working with the officers."

Sgt. Fuhs did say that a request has been put in for additional patrols in "one-adam-30," the upper Montrose area, which extends west of Montrose to Buffalo Speedway, between West Gray and 59.

In looking at the crime statistics (which are available on the Houston Police Department’s interesting website, www.houstonpolicedepartment.com), there does not seem to be a discernable pattern, either up or down. Comparing July 2001 to the past two Julys, robbery in the "one-adam-20" lower Montrose area is higher (24 incidents in 2001, versus 14 in 2000, and 16 in 1999), but reported aggravated assaults are considerably lower (8 this year, versus 18 and 20). Likewise in the upper Montrose, robberies were a little higher this year (13 in 2001, 8 in 2000, and 10 in 1999), but aggravated assault has gone steadily down (6 this year, 9 in 2000, and 12 in 2001).

"As the mayor's liaison to the GLBT community," says Janine Brunjes, "my thoughts are that crime in Montrose is at a minimum. All crime is significant and I feel the Houston Police Department has been extremely responsive to our needs in Montrose as well as all areas in the city."

Deborah Rogers issued a statement from the caucus: "As we anticipate and expect our city government to do the right thing for Houston and all of its citizens by passing the nondiscrimination ordinance, and as we approach another election season in which the basic civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people may be considered an item for debate and not acceptance, let us all remember to stand together, focused and in unity as a community and prepare ourselves for the illogical and inhuman increase in hate speech, property crimes, and even violence targeted against the GLTB community at large.

"…Therefore, the HGLPC strongly encourages all citizens of our community and beyond to stay safe, remain aware of your surroundings at all times, and join our hands together against the politics, language, and actions of hate."

YOU SAY YOU WANT A REFERENDUM...

When extremist Dave Wilson turned in his 22,577 signatures to City Hall on August 20 to call for a citywide vote on banning domestic partner benefits, the community was more than ready to counteract.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Progressive Voters in Action (PVA) have put out a call to action. "We can beat this right winger if we all work together," says Alejandro Morua, PVA executive director.

Said Annise Parker the HRC/PVA statement: "Dave Wilson’s petitions are being handed in to create two different groups of city workers–those who are allowed to protect the health of their families, and those who are not. His ballot measure will prevent gay and lesbian city employees from getting proper health care for their families. This kind of blatant discrimination is wrong. It’s unfair. And, it’s not the way we treat people in Houston. We all know that the way most households in this country have access to health care and health insurance is through the workplace. Gay and lesbian city employees need to protect their families just like everyone else. No one should be forced to live without health insurance.  Don’t let Dave Wilson and his ballot measure take away people’s access to health care. Houston deserves better."

Join the PVA brigade (evenings and Saturday mornings) walking neighborhoods talking to voters, or working the phone banks. Call PVA at 713/521-7161or check out their website at www.votepva.org.

SWEET NEW ASSISTHERS EVENT

AssistHers is kicking off an exciting and delectable new fundraiser: the Decadent Dessert Extravanganza on Sunday, September 30, 4—7 p.m. Billed as "a party of sweet indulgence," with "delightful company," "mouth-watering treats," and "trash disco" music. The night will feature several tables of decadent desserts created by Acadian Bakers, Baba Yega’s, Cafe Zorro, Fabio’s, Fox Diner, Mo Mong, Three Dog Bakery, Urbana, Bering Memorial United Methodist Church, D.C .in the Heights, don Carlos Catering. Meteor, 2306 Genesee. $20 advance, $25 at the door. Call AssistHers at 713/521-4628.

WE’RE BORN THIS WAY?

PFLAG is going to have a noteworthy speaker this month. Dr. Cheryl Weill of Boulder, Colorado, will be giving scientific evidence in support of the idea of a biological basis for a person's sexual orientation. Her research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation and concerned the survival of neurons during development, and the identification of the genes and the molecular signals used by neurons for their survival. She recently retired from academic science, obtained a master of social work degree and has embarked on a new career as a psychotherapist. Sunday, Sept. 9, 2 p.m., Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas, 713/867-9020.