Hillcrest Funds Volunteerism with Restitution From Prosecution over Hateful Graffiti

Hillcrest funds volunteerism with restitution from prosecution over hateful graffiti

San Diego Police Department Captain Matt Dobbs addresses a press conference in Hillcrest about hate crime vandalism on Thursday, June 5. Behind him, stand (l to r) Deputy District Attorney Abigail Dillon, District Attorney Summer Stephan and Hillcrest Business Association Executive Director Ben Nicholls (obscured). (Photo by Drew Sitton/Times of San Diego) HILLCREST – “Today we’re going to tell you the good end of the terrible story,” said Distr…

New Hillcrest restoration fund established after recent vandalism

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the vandals pleaded guilty. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- It’s the end to a story that shocked the Hillcrest neighborhood last August, when vandals spray-painted anti-LGBTQ+ and antisemitic language on murals and trash cans. “It was actually the day of our August 2024 Cleanup and Cocktails event. We all gathered here, sent volunteers out," said Benny Cartwright, co-founder of the quarterly e…

When hate turns into hope: New fund to keep Hillcrest safe and clean

Two people responsible for tagging Hillcrest businesses with anti-gay and antisemitic graffiti are now paying to help keep the neighborhood clean and safe.