[OutVoice] CELEBRATE PRIDE WITH AWARENES... LEARN TO KEEP YOURSELF SAFE- PLEASE READ

[CScandelle at aol.com]

If you or someone you know are witness to an assault/Hate Crime here are  
some tips that could help. 
 
Please be sure to pass this info on to as many people as possible - though  
most of this is "common sense" ...
 
--- it still needs to be reinforced- remember lives are at stake!
 
1.)Get to the nearest telephone and dial 911 immediately. 
IT HELPS TO  HAVE 911 OR WHAT EVER YOUR STATE EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER 
SAVED IN YOUR  CELLULAR PHONEBOOK.
 
Honey-- if you can take the five minutes to save that stale piece of "booty  
call" telephone number... 
than doing this should be a breeze!!!!
 
2.)If witnessing a hate crime--Give the location of the crime first then  
give all the details you can remember.
 
3.)Try to retain as much information as possible when reporting the crime  
(this is crucial when submitting evidence for apprehending the assailants as  
quickly as possible if they manage to leave the scene before police  arrive.)
 
When calling 911 try to use language that they can understand - such as  "the 
victim is a Black Male... 
in his ... being attacked by four assailants  .... wearing this...
 
4.)Be sure to include the number of people involved.
include race, age  groups, body types, clothing, vehicle description any 
information to get the  
police on the trail as quickly as possible. 
Including what direction the  assailants went in etc.
 
5.) BE READY TO TESTIFY AS A WITNESS. This part is also very  important.
sometimes in this crazy world, it takes more than an unfortunate  victim if 
the crime isn't being caught on tape/film and 
no witnesses step  forward) Your testimony and that other witnesses could 
mean the difference  between a slap on the wrist or 25 year maximum sentence.
 
Our goal with reporting these hideous crimes is to make the most severe  
charges stick! 
 
So please pass this on to everyone you know and make sure that everyone  
understands that "numbers do count" when police need evidence not caught on  film.
 
6.) Awareness is key! Keep things fresh as possible reminding 
if you  can take names and telephone numbers of others standing nearby that 
may have  witnessed the attack. 
 
Remember ... GAY HATE CRIMES ARE NOT THE PRIORITY IN THE AMERICAN LEGAL  
SYSTEM YET -- trust me .. I've talked personally to several Local police  
precincts here in NYC and "they " are not reassuring in the least!
 
So.. its really up to each and everyone of us 
to look after our own! 
 

If you see a friend leaving a bar alone late at night or otherwise...  think 
about joining them for more safety.
 

SO SPREAD THE WORD!! FEEL FREE TO ADD MORE INFORMATION AND PASS THIS  ON! 
 
MAYBE WE SHOULD GET FLYERS POSTED UP IN THE STORES, BARS, ETC TO HELP SEND  
THE 
MESSAGE ACROSS.
 
BE SAFE BE HAPPY BE YOU!
 
ALL MY LOVE,
 
SCANDELLE