HOUSTON -- A worry that hate crimes may be on the rise means some Montrose bars and nightclubs will offer safe haven to anyone in danger.
"It's dangerous out there and I think some people don't realize how dangerous it is," said Alan Everett, a Houston resident.
Hates crimes against gays and lesbians are a part of Montrose history.
Twenty years after the death of Paul Broussard, a gay man beaten to death in 1991, there are still worries, said Ann Robison, executive director of Montrose Counseling Center.
"I think it's not as bad as it used to be but we do still have segments of the community that are targets for violence by people who don't like people who are different," Robison said.
In December, Aaron Scheerhoorn died after being stabbed near a Montrose bar.
He sought refuge at the bar but was turned away, according to eyewitnesses.
Because of that, several Montrose clubs and businesses have entered into an agreement to provide safe haven and help anyone in danger.
"I think we make it abundantly clear that we provide safe haven," said Jose Apodaca, operations manager of Charles Armstrong Investments, which owns and operates several bars and nightclubs in Montrose. "[We] would never turn anyone back from South Beach, Meteor, JRs or Mining Company."
Everett, who has helped organize a citizens patrol group called Aaron's Angels, said the group would be the eyes and ears of the police department.
"In our minds, it's a revival of the old Q Patrol which started way back in Paul Broussard's time," he said. "It was successful."
On Thursday night, a remembrance garden will be dedicated in memory of Scheerhoorn at the corner of California Street and Grant Street.
