Reports Of Attacks Frighten Oak Lawn Regulars, Residents

DALLAS, TX — Four incidents in Dallas' Oak Lawn neighborhood have shaken up an area known citywide for inclusivity and acceptance. The area, often seen as a safe space for Dallas' LGBT community, is again taking measures to protect its residents and regulars from violent attacks.

Still reeling from a string of 14 attacks in 2015 and 2016 that left several people, many of whom were gay men, badly injured, community activists are taking measures to stop the spree before it escalates.

Community activists associated with the Facebook page "Take Back Oak Lawn" first shed light on recent incidences in the area. In a post, moderators wrote of a May 5 incident originally thought to be a robbery.

Police say no one was robbed in the incident, but that officers were flagged down around 7:38 p.m. after a man was found unconscious at the corner of Cedar Springs and Throckmorton.

Dallas Fire Rescue responded, but the man refused treatment and walked away. A police report was made.

One day later, a man was assaulted by three people in the 3900 block of Cedar Springs around 1:30 a.m., police said.

The victim left the area and reported the attack from his home around 6:00 a.m. Police said the victim knew at least one of the assault suspects.

A report was filed and an investigation is ongoing.

On May 8, police were sent to the scene of a reported robbery in progress. The victims, police said, were robbed at gunpoint while walking to their car around 10:36 p.m. The robber fled on foot and remains unidentified.

The "Take Back Oak Lawn" post alleges the same two suspects robbed another victim at gunpoint and allegedly fired a gun.

Police said officers arrived at that location in the 4200 block of Maple Avenue but were unable to find a person related to the reported robbery. No report was filed.

It's not clear if the documented robberies were related.

Whether or not crimes took place, one can hardly blame Oak Lawn residents for reacting to such threats of violence.

The area made headlines in late 2015 after 14 attacks and robberies occurred in the streets. At least two of the crimes appeared to be hate crimes, the Dallas Morning News reported at the time.

In November 2015, 25-year-old Geoffrey Hubbard was the 12th person to be injured in a string of 14 attacks in the area.

CBSDFW reported Hubbard was assaulted after leaving work around 11:00 p.m. He shared graphic photos of his injuries with the news station.

Hubbard wasn't alone in speaking out after his assault. Michael Dominguez, another victim of an Oak Lawn attack, met in April 2016 with local leaders to call for renewed attention to public safety in the area.

"If I don't speak up, who is going to?" Dominguez told The News. "How many people before me have been attacked, have been murdered and didn't have their voices heard and didn't have their stories told? I refuse to let this continue to happen in the city I have chosen to live in."

[Watch] Survivors of the Oak Lawn attacks spoke with A Story To Tell Productions about their attacks.

In an effort to prevent another string of violent attacks like those seen in 2015 and 2016, volunteers affiliated with "Take Back Oak Lawn" have begun patrolling the streets at night.

"Take Back Oak Lawn patrol vehicles will typically display flashing yellow or amber lights and may or may not be otherwise marked," moderators wrote on Facebook. "Please continue to be aware of your surroundings and if you see anything suspicious please contact law enforcement."

The Facebook group has organized a crime watch meeting for May 16. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting and talk with police about public safety issues.

Dallas Police Department's LGBTQ+ Liason, Officer Amber Roman, will also host a town hall meeting with police chief Renee Hall on May 24.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in the Dallas Resource Center at 5750 Cedar Springs Road from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

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