Stonewall Citizens Patrol 2.0: the next generation of community safety
On March 17, 2010, I took over as Executive Director of Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol. Because of that, I wanted to share with the community exactly what SCP is, how we started, what we’ve accomplished and who we are, as an organization, today. I follow in the footsteps of Ben Gomez, the man at the helm of SCP for its first four years in existence. Ben worked tirelessly to make the patrol an active, vital community partner and he will continue to be a part of the volunteer team for years to come.
Why Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol was started
In 2006, several people leaving the San Diego Pride Festival in Balboa Park were attacked by assailants wielding baseball bats and knives. Fed up with the violence, and wanting to do something about it, a group of concerned community leaders and activists came together and formed Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol (SCP) in an effort to assist the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) in deterring crimes and criminal activity target at the LGBT community. SCP originally operated under the umbrella of the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) local San Diego chapter. The majority of our funding and equipment was provided by a single sponsor.
Today, SCP has grown not only in volunteer numbers, but as an organization. SCP is now a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit entity. And, the SCP mission has expanded beyond that of just the LGBT community.
Who We are and What We Do
Stonewall Citizens Patrol volunteers with City Commissioner Nicole Murray-Ramirez
SCP was founded primarily to patrol the LGBT community. Today, the breadth of SCPs reach has expanded. SCP’s mission has become one of total community service – we no longer consider ourselves strictly an LGBT organization. Our roots will always be a part of who we are and how we operate, but our continued expansion and growth ensures a commitment to the safety and security of the entire community. Our volunteers are not concerned with race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. We are concerned with helping people – all people in the neighborhoods we serve. SCP volunteers patrol the neighborhoods of Hillcrest, Bankers Hill, North Park, Normal Heights and University Heights on weekend nights between 9PM and 3AM as often as possible.
SCP has always maintained a close relationship with SDPD, who has provided our volunteers with invaluable training. SCP appreciates the tremendous support of city leaders including Chief Landsdowne, Mayor Sanders, and the entire City Council. Since inception, SCP has covered more than 8,200 city miles, utilizing 5,200+ man-hours, helping deter potential criminal activity, providing additional eyes and ears for the city’s Police force and assisting citizens in need. SCP has truly established itself as a reliable source of crime deterrence and community safety enforcement. Along with our weekly neighborhood patrol units, our volunteers assist SDPD in traffic and crowd control during marches and protests, patrol the perimeter of the Pride Festival and participate in other community events and functions such as North Park Toyland Parade, Taste of Hillcrest, Nightmare on Normal Street and South Bay Pride.
In addition to patrols, we also help educate the community about personal safety. Frequently, SCP volunteers distribute safety whistles while talking with community members about street crime and prevention efforts within our neighborhoods.
The LGBT community has come a long way since the days of the Stonewall riots, but there is still much to be done. Hate crimes against LGBT people are still a reality. As well, hate crimes based on race or religion are also increasingly prevalent. It is with this understanding that SCP volunteers patrol, lending SDPD some extra ‘eyes and ears’ out in the community. So, what is it that we do?
- Create Awareness – increase awareness of street crime within the area
- Educate – Provide safety and crime prevention education
- Community Safety/Patrol – Help police fight crime by serving as extra eyes and ears
SDPD considers Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol one of the most successful examples of a community-generated safety initiative in San Diego’s history. Officer David Surwilo of SDPD’s Western Division has said that, “Stonewall Citizens Patrol is the best example of how people can come together and truly make a positive impact on a community. When I speak at meetings or with individuals, I always refer to [SCP] as the model manager for any kind of volunteer patrol effort. Stonewall’s professionalism, dedication and commitment are what all groups should strive to achieve and it’s a sincere pleasure for the SDPD’s Western Division to have SCP volunteers working with us to help improve the safety and overall quality of life for the people and community.”
What’s in Store for SCP?
SCP’s future depends on you. Yes, YOU, the community. Your help is vital in helping to sustain our presence and growth. SCP’s operation is not without expense. Patrol vehicles require insurance, regular maintenance and fuel. The organization also incurs administrative expenses that will continue to increase as we grow and expand our mission.
But that’s just one part. SCP is a completely volunteer-driven organization. We have no paid staff. Every SCP volunteer, from the Board of Directors on down works with no monetary compensation. And, we need volunteers! If you have a desire to help protect the community: to raise awareness, provide education and patrol neighborhoods helping deter crime, then perhaps becoming a Stonewall Citizen Patrol volunteer is for you.
SCP patrol volunteers are the ones you see out and about in the vehicles driving around the streets. But that is only part of the organization’s function. SCP is in need of volunteers that can assist with marketing and development; fundraising; IT/web design; administrative support; accounting; legal and more. Without YOU, SCP cannot exist. Our mission is to help protect the community. And, to do that effectively, we need community participation.
SCP volunteers are asked to contribute a minimum of three hours per month to the organization. Of course, anything more is greatly appreciated but we understand that work and personal time are priorities. If you are interested in volunteering with SCP in any way, please visit our website or call us at (619) 320-8219.
San Diego is a city rich with culture and diverse communities. And, the neighborhoods we patrol are the epitome of diversity. With diversity comes the advantages of expanding our collective understanding of different people and ways of life. Unfortunately, with diversity also comes ignorance, violence and hate. It is this ignorance, violence and hate that the volunteers of SCP wish to do away with. We can do that with your help.
Help SCP continue to protect the communities we all cherish by getting involved, donating and spreading the word. And, if you see any one of the SCP patrol units out on the streets of your neighborhood…give us a wave. After all, it is you – our fellow community members – that are the reasons we continue to do what we do.
