Posted on: Friday, October 8, 2004
Gay leaders and police discuss recent attacks
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Members of Honolulu's gay and lesbian community met with a top Honolulu Police Department official yesterday to discuss the recent assaults on two people outside a popular gay nightclub in Waikiki and the police response to the attacks.
Kenneth Miller, executive director of The Center-Hawai'i, which serves the gay community here, said he asked to meet with HPD after a woman and man were attacked near Hula's Bar and Lei Stand on Kapahulu Avenue last month. Police are investigating whether the assaults were hate crimes because the victims are gay.
On Sept. 23, Pamela Disel was walking to Hula's with two friends when two men asked if they were lesbians. After acknowledging that she was gay, one of the men struck her across the face.
A week earlier, a doctor from Missouri suffered fractures to the right side of his face after he was hit from behind. Tim Noreuil was walking from Hula's to his condominium when he was attacked.
There have been no arrests in either case.
In both incidents, Miller said, the victims felt that they were not treated fairly by police. He said it took several days before they met with investigators and the perception is that the gay community is treated differently than the heterosexual community.
Miller asked for a meeting with Deputy Chief Paul Putzulu to present these concerns and also to get a better idea of what police procedures and policies are. Miller also said he asked that HPD increase its sensitivity training so officers have a better understanding and respect for gays.
Miller characterized yesterday's meeting as "a great first step" and said he was encouraged by the possibility of working with HPD.
"What we're looking at is collaborating and assisting HPD in their sensitivity training," he said. "How can we help them put a face of the gay community to the beat cops? How can we make sure it's institutionalized at HPD headquarters and the entire police force, that the gay community, we're just like everybody else."
Putzulu said the investigations in both cases are ongoing. He said the department will meet with Miller again to address the concerns he raised.
Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.
