City of Rohnert Park

Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety is dedicated to providing our city with the most comprehensive emergency services presented in our industry. Placing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) at the forefront of our safety objectives, Rohnert Park DPS implemented the Safe Space anti-hate LGBTQIA+ program. Partnering with local stakeholders, our agency increases community safety when a safe environment or “Safe Space” is accessible to those in an emergency at all times, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

While the Safe Space program is a public awareness campaign that states that hate, of any kind, is NOT tolerated in our city, it also has a physical component to keep community members who are victims of a hate crime, violent crime, or feel threatened or targeted in conjunction with a hate crime, with a safe location to enter immediately and call the police for assistance. The Safe Space anti- hate LGBTQIA+ logo displayed in the campaign sticker symbolizes that our public safety agency, and our community at large, protects everyone equally, regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or gender.

How to Participate

Businesses, schools, places of worship, and nonprofit organizations that wish to support the Safe Space program can submit the online form below to be registered and receive a free decal to display in a place visible to the public. When you enroll in the Safe Space registry, you agree to protect others by:
-  Allowing victims to enter and remain at your premises until the police arrive
-  Calling or assisting victims to call 911 to report hate crimes
-  Instructing all employees and volunteers to assist victims and witnesses
-  Applying the Safe Space anti-hate program to anyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or age

Always Report Suspected Hate Crimes

Even if you believe them to be insignificant, your information is vital to increasing public safety for all who live in your community. Calling 911 immediately helps us to:
-  Prevent further harm or violence
-  Collect evidence before it is destroyed
-  Interview witnesses who can assist with convictions
-  Apprehend suspects so they do not victimize others
-  Warn the community of hate crime activity in the area through social media and alerts
-  Increase patrols in the area.

What is a Hate Crime?

According to the California Attorney General’s Office Victims’ Services Unit, you can be a victim of a hate crime if you have been targeted because of your:
-  Race or ethnicity
-  Nationality
-  Religion
-  Gender
-  Sexual orientation
-  Physical or mental disability
-  Your association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics

Reporting Hate Crimes

If you are a victim of a hate crime, or you have witnessed a hate crime, please report the incident to the police as soon as possible. Regardless of whether the call comes during the incident, or after, please call 911 and be prepared to relay the following information:
-  Your injuries: Medical assistance will be called to assist if needed.
-  The specifics of the crime: What happened? Who, what, where, when.
-  What was said? Tell the dispatcher and the responding officer if the suspects used words that indicate a hate crime.
-  Were any weapons involved? Please describe the gun, knife, etc. in as much detail as possible.
-  Description of the suspects: Age, race, ethnicity, height, weight and clothing. Any unusual or defining characteristics: Scars, marks, tattoos, piercings, speech pattern, etc.
-  Suspect vehicle description: Color, make, model, vehicle license plate number.
-  Direction of travel: Which way did they leave the scene?

Information for Victims

The California Victims’ Bill of Rights Act (Marsy’s Law) gives you these important legal rights:
-  Money for your losses: Medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and attorney fees.
-  Inform the court on how the crime impacted your life before the defendant is sentenced.
-  Get information from the prosecutor regarding your case.
-  Receive Protective Orders to keep the defendant away from you.

California Attorney General’s Office
Victims' Services Unit
PO Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
(877) 433-9069
www.oag.ca.gov/victimservices

LGBTQIA+ Hate Crime Resources

Sonoma County LGBTQIA+ support groups, mental health services, legal assistance, counseling, and suicide prevention: PartnershipHP.org/Community/Documents/Sonoma/Sonoma_LGBTQ.pdf

The Safe Space anti-hate campaign is a completely voluntary community service program

Disclaimer: Requesting a Safe Space sticker does not create a special relationship between the City of Rohnert Park, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, and your organization, nor does it create any legal duties on behalf of the City of Rohnert Park or its entities to inspect, maintain, or manage your location or otherwise ensure that your location does not discriminate against anyone. An individual enters a Safe Space organization at their own risk. Organizations who provide a Safe Space haven to the community take responsibility for their environment. This anti-hate Safe Space program is completely voluntary for all parties involved.

Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety LGBTQIA+ Community Liaison

The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety's LGBTQIA+ Liaison serves as the direct contact point for internal RPDPS staff members and out in the community. Increasing safety for all, the liaison can be reached at the numbers provided. The RPDPS LGBTQIA+ Liaison duties include:

• Working closely with the LGBTQIA+ community on a variety of community-related events and issues
• Attending meetings and maintaining relationships with LGBTQIA+ community organizations
• Coordinating multi-governmental agency responses to the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community
• Facilitating RPDPS participation in LGBTQIA+ related events throughout the region
• Acting as a Liaison between staff and Human Resources to assist with LGBTQIA+ related Issues/concerns
• Working with Training Coordinators to ensure LGBTQIA+ professional development
• Assisting with LGBTQIA+ social media messaging and educational outreach for public safety

J.P. Pritchard
Pronouns: She/Her
Community Engagement Coordinator / LGBTQIA+ Liaison
[email protected]
707-584-2691