NY Gov. Cuomo Announces Crackdown On Hate Crimes
Gov. Andrew Cuomo Image by Getty Images
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced new measures to combat anti-Semitic hate crimes and other bias incidents, days after the desecration of a Jewish cemetery in Missouri.
“There is no place for hate or discrimination or bigotry in New York,” the Democrat said, promising that his administration would set up a toll-free hotline to report hate crimes, dole out $5,000 in reward money for reports leading to hate crime convictions and request that state legislators budget $25 million for extra security and surveillance at religious schools. “Make no mistake. The threat is real, these are not isolated instances, there’s a clear pattern,” he added.
Cuomo noted that bias incidents have spiked considerably since the election of President Trump, though he refused to lay the blame at the new leader’s feet.
New York has seen a rise in hate crimes since the election, including graffiti in public spaces and bomb threats to Jewish Community Centers. The NY Police Department said hate crimes are up 35 percent since 2015.
Cuomo previously said that he was directing the state police to open a new division dedicated to hate crimes investigations.
Contact Daniel J. Solomon at solomon@forward.com or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon
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