The P-Town Police added insult to injury in the case of Mr. Richard Hall, who was brutally bashed in Provincetown on September 10th. He learned upon reading the Cape Cod Times Thursday morning that the police considered the investigation of the hate crime closed because they had reached an “impasse in communications” with the victim. It was suggested that Richard had not cooperated with the police, which was, let’s say, a prevarication. It’s classic blame the victim fare, and it’s a disgrace that a police force serving Provincetown would stoop to such depths.
This is the victim’s open letter in response to the editor of the Cape Cod Times, with a link to the story:
To the Editor of the Cape Cod Times:
As the Mr. Hall referred to in a recent article about Provincetown hate crimes, “P’town police seek review of possible hate crime” http://www.capecodon… , I was startled to read over morning coffee that the police were no longer investigating my September 10th gaybashing. What confounded me most was the notion that there had ever been an investigation. I asked to be updated about my case and made myself available for an interview. Sergeant Carrie Lopes (amusingly called their “Civil Rights” officer) ignored my emails then raised barriers to our meeting. She never told me anything about progress in any investigation. What is euphemistically referred to as an “impasse in communications” was more like radio silence then harsh static on their end. I am appalled that I am being publicly blamed for a lack of cooperation after what I’ve been through.
If there ever were any investigation, the crew on Shankpainter Road would have been scouring the streets of Provincetown for my perpetrators, which they never did. The PPD feigned an investigation because of pressure from me and GLBT advocates. The Emperor never had any clothes. I’m living proof that until something is done Provincetown is not safe for gay male visitors.
Richard B. Hall
New Bedford, Massachusetts
when someone is in Mr Hall’s position? Is there another level of recourse available?
It occurs to me that Mr. Hall’s best course of action is to go behind the scenes within the gay community and draw as much attention as possible to the way his gaybashing was mishandled at the hands of the Provincetown Police.
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It also occurs to me that hate crime indicators are not applied identically to crimes involving gaybashings by groups like the Anti-Defamation League.
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It will be interesting to see if he pursues other avenues of recourse. Perhaps proper media outlets can be accessed as well. Certainly the gay community should be alerted that travel in Provincetown is risky at best.