Local & Community
Cathedral City Neighborhood Targeted by Hate-Fueled Bullhorn Rants
Residents of the Cove community in Cathedral City are speaking out against an ongoing campaign of hate coming from a neighbor who has taken to using a bullhorn to target people based on their race and sexual orientation. Neighbors say the outbursts—filled with racist, homophobic, and politically charged rhetoric—occur without warning and have left the community feeling threatened and exhausted.
Jeff Alessandro, a longtime resident, described the situation in an interview, stating that the woman responsible has been harassing LGBTQ+ and minority residents for years. “She hates homosexuals, any race,” Alessandro said. “She picks on the neighbor behind me, and the neighbors beside me. She just hates.”
Recently, the woman escalated her behavior by using a bullhorn to amplify her attacks, shouting slurs and hateful messages at all hours, including early in the morning. She has also been accused of throwing cement chunks at a neighbor’s pet tortoise. Residents have repeatedly called the police, but they say little has been done to stop the disturbances.
Legal expert Walter Clark weighed in on the issue, explaining that while the First Amendment does protect free speech, it does not give individuals the right to harass others or disturb the peace. Clark emphasized that a restraining order could be a viable legal tool to stop the bullhorn use. “It specifies the conduct that is causing the injury,” he said. “They say, we want this person to stop using their bullhorn. And they can’t use the First Amendment to defend that.”
Some residents are considering taking legal action, with suggestions ranging from civil lawsuits to noise complaints. However, many feel they should not have to go to such lengths simply to enjoy peace in their own homes.
As the neighborhood struggles to find a solution, residents hope that city officials or law enforcement will step in to put an end to the ongoing harassment. For now, they are left to endure the verbal assaults, hoping that legal measures will soon provide relief.
By: NBC Palm Springs
January 31, 2025
