Hate Crimes Q &A

Does the Suffolk County Police Department manipulate information or cover up numbers associated with hate crimes?

Emphatically, no. Some have noted a recent decline in reported hate crimes in Suffolk County and claimed, without any substantiation or facts, that there must be some kind of “cover up” going on. Our recent numbers of reported hate crimes are mirrored by other similar-sized police agencies in the region. We’re proud of our Hate Crimes Unit and would welcome any audit by an outside agency of the work they’ve done. We have absolutely nothing to hide.

Has there ever been evidence or substantiation of an incident where the administration or the police commissioner instructed police officers to declassify a hate crime?

No.

Does Suffolk County have fewer hate crimes than Nassau County and New York City?

Some have noted a recent decline in hate crimes in Suffolk and automatically, and without substantiation, assumed there was some kind of “cover up” by the department to manipulate these numbers. In fact, our lower statistics are mirrored by other jurisdictions in the region. Nearby Westchester County, for example, also reported just a single hate crime and New York City, which is five times larger in population than Suffolk, reported only one hate crime against Hispanics in 2008. In reporting this information, the New York Post in its November 23, 2008 edition stated that overall hate crimes had “plummeted” in the city versus the prior year. In addition, according to the New York Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), which maintains crime statistics for law enforcement agencies throughout the state, the Nassau Police Department and Suffolk Police Department reported an identical number of hate crimes—13—against Hispanics from 2005-2007. No one is suggesting that these other municipalities manipulated the numbers. Nor should anyone do so here.

Is painting/drawing of a swastika on a public place an example of a hate crime?

Only if it’s specifically directed at an individual or individuals.

Does the Hate Crimes Unit investigate all incidents involving hate speech or hate incidents that are reported?

Yes. And the department encourages anyone who feels they have been the victim of a hate crime, or has information about a hate crime, to come forward and let the department know about it.

How many departments on Long Island have a Hate Crimes Unit which is exclusively tasked with investigating hate crimes?

The Suffolk County Police Department is the only department that has a unit specifically focusing on the investigation of hate crimes. The unit investigates all hate crimes in the five western towns of Suffolk, and is available to police departments in the five towns East End towns if they request our assistance.

What elements are required for a crime to be considered a hate crime under the Hate Crimes Act of 2000?

Two elements must be present. The Hate Crime Act requires that an individual or group must have been specifically targeted to harm and it must be related to a crime specifically mentioned in the law, such as assault or criminal mischief. The law does not allow discretion in how hate crimes are charged, as some have suggested.

Why wasn’t it considered a hate crime when teens applied shoe polish to write sexual and racially offensive remarks on cars in Mastic?

This was an example of hateful, deplorable speech, but it cannot be prosecuted as a hate crime under state law because it didn’t target a specific individual and wasn’t a crime mentioned specifically in the Hate Crimes Act.

Then is it a hate crime to paint a swastika on a Jewish family’s house?

If a swastika was painted on a Jewish family’s house, or a burning cross or hangman’s noose was placed on the property of an African-American family, that would certainly come under the umbrella of the Hate Crimes Act and would be investigated and prosecuted as a hate crime.

What is the department doing to ensure that all people who are victimized by a hate crime come forward and file a police report?

We are proactively getting the message out that we welcome information about hate crimes to 1 (800) 220-TIPS and urge victims to come forward. Individuals will not be asked about their legal status and the information they provide to us will be held in the strictest confidence. We have translators available when needed, and we have appointed a liaison to the minority community to assist as needed with this process.

Does the department ask the immigration status of a victim or witness when investigating crimes?

No—as a matter of policy, crime victims and witnesses are never questioned about their immigration status.