Drafter
Clerk 03/30/2021
Title
A MOTION signaling the council's intent to establish a hate crimes unit within the criminal investigation division of the department of public safety.
Body
WHEREAS, a person who intentionally threatens or causes injury to persons or physical property because of the victim's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or mental, physical, or sensory disability has committed a hate crime offense under RCW 9A.36.080, and
WHEREAS, hate-fueled attacks have spiked across the country over the past year, particularly against those of Asian descent, and
WHEREAS, according to data compiled by California State University's Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, there were one hundred twenty-two incidents of anti-Asian American hate crimes in sixteen of the country's most populous cities in 2020, an increase of almost one hundred fifty percent over the previous year, and
WHEREAS, the King County prosecutor's office has reported a troubling rise in hate crimes perpetrated in King County, from thirty cases in 2018 to fifty-nine cases in 2020; and
WHEREAS, it is well established that victims of hate crimes under report incidents of violence to due to social stigmatization and fear of reprisal;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. It is the intent of the council to establish a hate and bias crimes unit within the department of public safety, which is otherwise known as the King County sheriff's office.
B. The council requests the executive fund and the sheriff establish a hate and bias crimes unit within the department of public safety otherwise known as the king county sheriff's office.
C. The hate and bias crimes unit should consist of no less than four deputies and one support staff position who shall employ all necessary resources and vigorous law enforcement action to identify, investigate and arrest hate and bias crime perpetrators.
D. Recognizing the particular fears and distress typically suffered by victims, the potential for reprisal and escalation of violence, and the far-reaching negative consequences of hate and bias crimes on the community, the hate and bias crimes unit should establishes policies which are mindful of and responsive to the security concerns of victims and their families.
E. The hate and bias crimes unit should develop a community engagement plan in order to encourage victims of hate crimes to report incidents involving hate and bias crimes.
F. The hate and bias crimes unit should develop a standard system for collecting, analyzing and reporting incidents of crime that are, in whole or in part, directed against
individuals because of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.