Take Back Watsonville founder Paul Gutierrez was attacked with a knife near his Palm Avenue home Thursday afternoon, authorities reported.
Gutierrez, 31, was not injured in the attack.
Watsonville police Sgt. Saul Gonzalez said Guiterrez was working in his backyard when he notice someone outside the back fence and confronted him.
"The suspect then tries to stab him and then he runs off," Gonzalez said.
Gutierrez said the assailant's knife stabbed into his belt and slashed his shorts, but was stopped shy of injuring him because his wallet was in his front pocket.
He described the attacker as a teenager wearing a backpack and a red Washington Nationals hat, which is sometimes associated with Norteño gangs in Watsonville.
The attack Thursday is just the latest incident in Gutierrez's quick rise as a community leader in Watsonville. His crime-fighting quest—begun in August after he and his family moved to Watsonville from Gilroy—has made him a media darling and a lightening rod for controversy.
"They're escalating from rocks, taunting and throwing trash to sending someone out here to try to kill me," Gutierrez said.
Earlier this month, a vandal threw rocks through the front window of his house. He spoke out against the Brown Berets, then found common ground with the group. Some neighbors have answered his call to action and come out in droves to support Take Back Watsonville, while others find his stance divisive.
"We're going to be personally going out looking for gang activity, not to step in but to call," Gutierrez said of Neighborhood Watch patrols working in tandem with police officers.
Found Peace http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/watsonville/ci_21728580 October 8 at 8:57pm near Watsonville Seen by 37 3 people like this. Sylvia Lazo Good article...but it says some gang members were present at the last potluck/meeting...was this a misprint? October 8 at 9:14pm · Edited Found Peace There were gang members there I just told home not to specify the name of their anti American/ Mexican brown hat crew.... Hint hint October 8 at 9:21pm via mobile Sarah Prescher Uhm... I'm all for what you're doing Paul, but I see you sometimes saying you want to work with the brown berets for a common goal, and sometimes calling them anti-american gangsters. I feel like comments like that are going to weaken the cause. And yes, I've seen their comments too... But you're the leader of this group. You set the example and the tone. Don't get dragged down by petty comments and disagreements. What you're doing is too important.
...if your (wo)man enough to meet with me face to face (no masks!) I would love to sit down and talk with you. We can have the WPD there if you want. I would love to see your proof. So how about it.....?
...if your (wo)man enough to meet with me face to face (no masks!) I would love to sit down and talk with you. We can have the WPD there if you want. I would love to see your proof. So how about it.....?
You would not have to be alone. We could meet in a very public place. Say the Police Department lobby of at the RP office. ...if your (wo)man enough to meet with me face to face (no masks!) I would love to sit down and talk with you. We can have the WPD there if you want. I would love to see your proof. So how about it.....?
....if your (wo)man enough to meet with me face to face (no masks!) I would love to sit down and talk with you. We can have the WPD there if you want. I would love to see your proof. So how about it.....?
...if your (wo)man enough to meet with me face to face (no masks!) I would love to sit down and talk with you. We can have the WPD there if you want. I would love to see your proof. So how about it.....?