LGBTQ+ Couple Questions Police Response After Hate Crime in San Francisco

A disturbing incident in San Francisco has raised serious concerns about how hate crimes are handled by law enforcement. A couple from the LGBTQ+ community experienced a violent attack in the Castro district, a well-known neighborhood for its vibrant LGBTQ+ culture. The couple, Devin Shaffer and his husband Bee Kittipalo, have come forward to express their disappointment with the police response to their ordeal.

A Shocking Attack in the Heart of the City

It was a typical evening for Shaffer and Kittipalo, who were walking hand in hand through their neighborhood. However, their peaceful evening took a turn for the worse when Shaffer was suddenly struck on the side of the head by an egg thrown by a group of teenagers. Shaffer described the impact as feeling like a 'paintball'.

When Shaffer confronted the group, they responded with a barrage of anti-gay slurs and continued to pelt the couple with eggs. Shaffer was hit again, this time behind his ear and neck. Despite the shock and pain, the couple managed to call 911 for assistance.

Police Arrive on Scene

San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) officers arrived approximately 15 minutes after the couple's call. However, according to Shaffer, the officers seemed disinterested in filing a report. They suggested that filing a report would take time and offered an alternative: they could try to pursue the suspects immediately. Hoping for a swift resolution, Shaffer and Kittipalo opted for the latter option.

In a bewildering turn of events, the officers departed in the opposite direction from where the teenagers fled. Shaffer expressed his frustration, stating, "They had something more important to do. That's how I took it."

Conflicting Accounts and Disappointment

Later, the SFPD released a statement that acknowledged the officers had offered to write a report and had also agreed to look for the suspects instead. However, the choice given to Shaffer and his husband, compounded by the officers heading away from the scene, left the couple feeling that their case was not taken seriously.

"I was under the impression no report would be possible to make. That was the thing that upset me the most," Shaffer said, reflecting on the incident. A report of the attack was eventually created, although details of when or by whom were unclear.

Official Response

The SFPD's Public Information Officer provided an account of the event, stating, "Officers arrived on scene and met the reporting party who stated that a group of unknown juveniles on bicycles approached him and his husband, threw eggs at them, and used homophobic slurs before fleeing westbound." Despite a search of the area, the suspects could not be located.

The official statement also confirmed that the couple declined further police action and medical treatment at the time. However, the report's language and how the incident was handled left Shaffer disillusioned with the police response.

Community Impact and Moving Forward

While the incident itself was traumatic, Shaffer expressed some relief that there is at least a record of what happened. "I would say I'm grateful they have all that information. That's reassuring," he noted. However, the lack of immediate action and the misleading communication from law enforcement remain key issues for the couple.

The alleged attackers have yet to be apprehended, which raises further concerns about the effectiveness of the police's response to hate crimes. The LGBTQ+ community and its allies are calling for increased awareness and better handling of such incidents to ensure safety and justice for all.

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