Adams Morgan gay-bashing victim speaks out; Questions police response
”The GLLU was involved in my case at the beginning. And although they were polite and offered to help, it was made very clear to me by the officer in charge that they were not in charge of the case and any dealings must go through them and not the GLLU. Meanwhile, I have been given incorrect info from both units [and] experienced excuses for delays.”
Todd as quoted by Chris Farris on The New Gay blog. (The New Gay)
The police have stated that they are surprised to see a hate-crime like this in our neighborhood, contrary to everything I have heard over the past year or so. And in an interview with Metro Weekly, a police officer offered very helpful advice on how to prevent these things (since it is obviously our job to prevent getting bashed): (1) don’t walk alone at night (my friend was with two other friends), (2) stay in busy, well-lit areas (they were half a block off of 18th Street in one of the busiest neighborhoods around), and (3) don’t provoke (seriously, are you kidding me with this? Do the police think the victims dared to get beaten? The only “provocation” that occurred was when Todd and his friends asked why they were being called fags).
Chris Farris elaborating on the police’s reaction to the attack on Todd Metrokin and friends in Adams Morgan in July.. (The New Gay)
”’It’s unfortunate’ that Metrokin talks publicly about the evidence, says acting Lt. Brett Parson, head of the police department’s special liaison units, who was called in on the night of the attack. Since it’s an active investigation, he says, discussing the details could tip off the suspects; also, he says, the ongoing nature of the case means police can’t and shouldn’t comment on its progress. Parson says he does understand Metrokin’s frustration. ‘If I were a victim of a crime like that and the case was not closed even after one day, that would be taking too long,’ he says.”
Taken from a Washington City Paper news article about Todd Metrokin who was beaten along with friends by several youths in an anti-gay attack on July 13, 2008. (Washington City Paper)
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