Feb. 22, 2007 - Boulder mayor releases statement regarding assault

Contact(s):
Mark Ruzzin, Boulder Mayor, (303) 229-6039
Jodie Carroll, Media Relations, (303) 441-3155
www.bouldercolorado.gov/

Statement:
Early yesterday morning a member of our community was assaulted near 13th Street and Canyon Boulevard. We are saddened and appalled by this event, which is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

This case is still under investigation and more information is being collected to determine exactly what happened and whether or not the victim's sexual orientation played a role in the assault. Under state statutes governing bias-motivated crimes, motivation for the crime must be proven based on the evidence available, and that determination only can be made by the Boulder Police Department (BPD) after all evidence has been gathered and at the conclusion of an investigation.

Regardless, an attack on a community member for any reason, including sexual orientation, race or any other bias, threatens the feeling of safety and security within Boulder's diverse populations and will not be tolerated. The Boulder City Council and City of Boulder management will support its police department in the enforcement of state laws relating to such incidents and any potential hate crime to the fullest extent possible.

In Boulder, we hold ourselves to a higher standard of not just tolerance, but to the belief that diversity enhances our community and is to be embraced and celebrated. This shameful act does not represent the values of our city.

Today, we as a city stand with the victim; the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transexual, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) community; and all persecuted people. I encourage anyone with information about this crime to come forward by contacting BPD at (303) 441-3330 or CrimeStoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or (800) 444-3776. Tips can also be submitted at www.crimeshurt.com/.  

--CITY--