SLO man wearing KKK-style robe arrested for public intoxication
Police said officers found insufficient evidence to substantiate a hate crime but documented the incident as a noncriminal hate expression
– San Luis Obispo police arrested a 55-year-old San Luis Obispo resident for public intoxication Sunday night after receiving reports of a man wearing clothing described by community members as a Ku Klux Klan-style uniform.
The San Luis Obispo Police Department received a call Sept. 13 about a man engaging in a verbal confrontation with people at the community pool at Creekside Mobile Home Park. The man left before officers arrived and was not located at that time, but officers identified him as Kristoffer Hans Pfister.
Shortly afterward, Pfister was seen walking through the mobile home park, in the Trader Joe’s parking lot, and near the intersection of Tank Farm and Higuera. Several community members reported that he was wearing a “Ku Klux Klan style uniform” and drinking from a bottle of alcohol. Another report stated that Pfister threw traffic cones into the roadway.
Officers located Pfister in the 3900 block of South Higuera Street as he was removing the clothing described in the reports.
Officers determined that Pfister could not care for his own safety because of his level of intoxication and arrested him for violating California Penal Code section 647(f), public intoxication. Officers booked him into the San Luis Obispo County Jail.
Police also investigated whether the incident constituted a hate crime. The department said officers determined there was not sufficient evidence at the time to substantiate a hate crime. Officers documented the incident as a noncriminal hate expression.
The city said it was aware of a photo circulating online showing an individual walking in San Luis Obispo wearing attire associated with a hate group. City staff said they had begun reaching out to community groups and organizations to offer support and reaffirm the city’s commitment to fostering a safe community for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, identity, or religion.
The city said resources and information are available at slocity.org/ReportHate for people who have experienced or witnessed hate in the community.
Free and confidential local emotional and mental health resources are available 24/7 through the Central Coast Hotline at (800) 783-0607.
Information about the city’s work around access and belonging is available at www.slocity.org/Diversity.
People who had contact with Pfister or believe they were the target of a hate crime during the incident can contact the San Luis Obispo Police Department at (805) 781-7312 to speak with a watch commander.
