Item B: Human Rights Commission: Bias Incident Response Plan

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Hate and Bias Incident Response and Anti-Hate Resolution Meeting Date: June 30, 2010 Agenda Item Number: B Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Holly LeMasurier www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5619 ISSUE STATEMENT Positive City leadership and community reactions play a strategic role in addressing hate crime impacts and incidents. This work session aims to inform the council of the City’s Hate and Bias Incident Response Plan. The work session will highlight the recent community forum on hate and present a draft copy of an anti-hate resolution, proposed for future council approval. BACKGROUND The 1995 Oregon Legislature adopted House Bill 2401, which mandated that Oregon State Police collect bias crime data, establishing a reporting relationship with local municipalities. The bill required the establishment of a confidential bias crime reporting system and data bank to collect, store and utilize information concerning the type, frequency, location and patterns of bias crimes and descriptions of bias crime suspects. State law encourages bias crime reporting by victims, law enforcement agencies and jurisdictions. However, many jurisdictions lack resources to do this effectively or with consistency, and public education and awareness of reporting options assist with reporting goals. Eugene reported 301 bias crimes from January 2000 - December 2009. Over that decade, 120 bias crimes were committed against persons through acts such as assault, menacing, intimidation, and harassment. There were 183 property crimes reported. The total and the type of reported bias crimes show the following: 156 bias crimes based on perceived race; 70 based on perceived sexual orientation; 54 based on perceived religion; and 21 based on perceived national origin. Staff believes these figures reflect a situation of significant underreporting. Eugene Police Department training on bias crime identification, as well as strategic communications, is making critical inroads with reporting. Public announcements on the importance of hate and bias activity reporting, and locations that seek hate activity reporting, are also in development. In addition to improved reporting, developing response protocols and conveying information about sensitive response are other goals of staff’s current work. The Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan includes an action item recommended by the council’s Community Committee on Race to develop a hate and bias response plan for the City of Eugene. This plan is a result of collaborative efforts and analysis with strategic community partners, and reflects best practices, City of Eugene resources and expertise, key partnerships, and community assets. Sensitive response to the needs of victims and survivors, and the assessment of impacts on targeted and broader communities, are critical. A distinct response to each incident is essential. Responses must never Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100630\S100630B.doc