Assemblyman Ron Kim has a plan to guard teams which are focused in hate crimes.
Hans Pennink
A Queens lawmaker desires Gov. Kathy Hochul to provide teams which are focused in hate crimes free taxi rides and strolling buddies skilled in martial arts, in response to a letter despatched Wednesday.
The missive, despatched by state Assemblymember Ron Kim (D-Queens), asks the governor to challenge a proper state declaration of catastrophe emergency that’d fund this system following a 343-percent surge in hate crimes towards Asian People final yr.
“It is a catastrophe of unequivocal proportions that have to be met with the entire mobilization of regulation enforcement and social service funds and assets from the Authorities,” Kim wrote.
He proposed the creation of a sequence of packages that any protected group could be eligible for if hate crimes towards them spiked greater than 200 % from the earlier yr, in response to the letter.
The packages embrace a voucher system that’d fund 15 round-trip taxis a month and a “safety companion service” that’d ship skilled peace officers to accompany protected teams whereas they’re out strolling in public.
Kim particularly desires the creation of a brand new company known as the Safety Companion Service for Protected Teams. Its peace officers could be skilled in “fundamental martial arts,” “hand-to-hand fight measures,” de-escalation methods and different self-defense instruments.
“On the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic when hate and violent crimes towards Asian New Yorkers started to surge, quite a few volunteer and civilian-run teams emerged to offer ‘companion safety’ for people involved about their rapid bodily security whereas strolling the streets of New York,” Kim defined within the letter.
“Volunteers in these initiatives would accompany and escort people requesting the service on foot journey, similar to strolling to and from the subway. The intent of the Safety Companion Service (SCS) is for the state and metropolis governments to intervene and broaden these initiatives throughout your entire metropolis.”
Kim additionally desires Hochul to fund a paratransit service for seniors in protected courses that’d present limitless free rides anyplace within the metropolis, and a skilled peace officer to assist them out with errands.
This system would value between $30 to $40 million, he estimated.
Whereas hate crimes towards protected teams collectively spiked about 95 % in 2021 in comparison with 2020, solely Asian People and Hispanics noticed year-over-year upticks in extra of 200 %, NYPD knowledge present.
Asian People accounted for 25 % of the entire variety of biased assaults reported in 2021, however Hispanics have been simply 1 % of the entire with solely eight hate crimes reported towards them, knowledge present.
Jewish individuals, who persistently report the best variety of hate crime complaints to the NYPD, accounted for 38 % of the entire hate crimes reported in 2021. However there was solely a 54 % year-over-year improve, which might make them ineligible for Kim’s program.
One state lawmaker, who spoke on the situation of anonymity, stated Kim’s proposal isn’t the suitable answer.
“Whereas there’s little question that our metropolis and state must do extra in defending focused communities, there are easy steps that may be taken to make sure the security of those susceptible communities,” they stated.
“One instance could be guaranteeing that hate crime perpetrators aren't launched instantly to strike once more, on condition that they're extra prone to be repeat offenders.”
A spokesperson for Hochul stated the governor is “horrified” by the uptick in violence towards Asian People and can “assessment” Kim’s suggestions.
“The Governor has proposed strengthening and increasing Kendra’s Legislation and thousands and thousands in new investments to enhance psychiatric help, and simply this week introduced $10 million in awards to organizations offering companies to Asian American communities,” the spokesperson stated.
“We are going to proceed working with native and legislative leaders to extend help and safety for Asian American New Yorkers, and can assessment the Assemblyman’s suggestions.”
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