LAPD Opens Office for Filing of Hate Crimes
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The Los Angeles Police Department opened a community service office at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center in Hollywood on Monday to assist with the filing of hate crimes and domestic violence complaints.
The Police Community Service Center, the first of its kind in the nation at a gay center, initially will be open on Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m. and staffed by one officer--Lisa Phillips, the LAPD’s full-time liaison to the gay and lesbian community.
Phillips, who is openly gay, said many crimes go unreported because, historically, gays and lesbians have not had a good rapport with the LAPD.
“The whole purpose of the center is to provide a safe and comfortable environment for victims of gay bashing,” said Phillips. “We want to encourage people to come in and make a report so we can catch these [gay bashers].”
Jim Key, director of public information at the Gay and Lesbian Center, said the new service “really demonstrates a commitment of the LAPD to address the incidents of gay and lesbian violence and shows a willingness to improve their relationship with gays and lesbians.”
Last year there were 203 reported assaults against gays and lesbians in the city. The office number is (213) 993-7491.
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