Bellevue 'Safe Place' Program Will Battle Anti-LGBTQ Crimes

BELLEVUE, WA - Bellevue police this week officially launched a program to better protect LGBTQ residents and visitors from bias crimes. The Bellevue SAFE SPACE program allows local businesses, schools, and other organizations to act as a way-point for victims of anti-LGBTQ crimes. For easy identification, organizations that participate will get a police shield in the colors of the gay pride flag to affix to doors and windows.

Local organizations interested in participating will get some training from Bellevue police, and will need to commit to sheltering victims of bias crime until police can arrive. Designated safe spaces can be used to protect students who are victims of bullying, or people who have been physically harassed, for example. The department has opened up the application process already.

Bellevue police say the city has a low occurrence of LGBTQ bias crimes. According to the latest data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there were about 275 hate crimes reported in the state in 2015, which includes hate crimes based on race and religion. Seattle police, which also runs a SAFE SPACE program, has had about 25 anti-LGBTQ incidents so far in 2017.

Bellevue police are also hosting two additional LGBTQ events this week. Here are more details from the department:

• LGBTQIA Community Panel, Wednesday, June 21, 7-8:30 p.m.: Bellevue Police Department’s LGBTQIA Advisory Council is hosting a community panel on the LGBTQIA experience in Bellevue. The panel will be held at Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. NE, in room 1E-112 and will feature four speakers representing community and city organizations on the Eastside. A question-and-answer period and reception with light snacks will follow.

• BPD Booth at Seattle PrideFest, Sunday, June 25, noon – 8 p.m.: members of the Bellevue Police Department’s recruiting team as well as representatives from the Department’s LGBTQIA advisory council will host a booth at the Seattle PrideFest event at the Seattle Center, 305 Harrison Street in Seattle. This marks the first year that the Bellevue Police Department has participated in this event.

Image via Bellevue police