Will Dallas PD Take Action After Attacks in Gayborhood?

With eight attacks in six weeks, locals want action.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

October 23 2015 4:14 PM EST

November 09 2017 11:32 PM EST

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Dallas police have finally agreed to address an epidemic of violence in the Cedar Springs stretch of the Oak Lawn neighborhood, which is lined with gay nightlife.

In less than two months, eight assaults have occurred in the area, with perpetrators mostly targeting men walking from gay bars and clubs at night. Only one has been classified as a hate crime, though.

Michael Dominguez was attacked in the early hours of October 2 -- not only beaten, but stabbed. His eye socket was broken and his skull cracked. So far, police have categorized what happened to him only as an "assault," not a hate crime.

"Nothing was stolen from [me], period, and I was left for dead. I don't know what you call that other than a hate crime," Dominguez told the Dallas-Fort Worth CBS affiliate.

At a recent community meeting, police promised more patrols and said they're considering adding cameras to the area. Local officials also pledged to fix broken streetlights, something that has made walking dangerous for locals.