Item B: Human Rights Commission: Bias Incident Response Plan

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interfere with investigations, and should be respectful of victims, careful not to alienate, re-exploit or re- victimize people, and be timely, strong, and broadly unifying. Regular, consistent and clear messages from public officials and leadership about diversity, inclusiveness, and tolerance also are powerful messages. The response plan also identifies proactive and ongoing education and outreach to develop positive community relations that impede attitudes and violence motivated by hate. Eugene will join other communities beginning to post and publicize coordinated and comprehensive guidelines for hate response. The Hate and Bias Incident Response guidelines do not delve into details of specific hate crimes investigation, prosecution or laws. That work often is undertaken by teams of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and attorneys, and is guided by Oregon and federal statutes. By contrast, the City of Eugene Hate and Bias Incident Response Plan identifies how the City organization can respond sensitively to individuals and groups impacted by hate activities, and address the “ripple effects” hate activity can create in the broader community. A brief, one-page overview of the City’s incident response was created for broad, public information. The Human Rights and Police commissions conducted a public forum on hate crimes in late April. An expert panel conveyed information and provided clarity on hate crimes, “hate speech,” hate crimes prosecution, community response, prevention, and other issues. Break-out sessions on prevention and response strategies focused on government, schools, neighborhoods and public safety. Resources are being developed for the Police Commission and Human Rights Commission education and outreach efforts. The committee working on this public forum also developed an anti-hate resolution, and presented and discussed the proposed draft resolution at the forum. The proposed resolution was enthusiastically embraced and, if adopted, could be perceived as a constructive step toward challenging hate in Eugene. The resolution draft is co-sponsored by the Police and Human Rights commissions. RELATED CITY POLICIES City Council Goals: Safe Community & Effective, Accountable Municipal Government Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan (DESP): Leadership and Capacity Building Action Item 1.4 Complete and put into action the Hate Incident Response Plan. City of Eugene Code 2.265: Human Rights Commission - Duties and Powers (1) The commission shall affirm, encourage and initiate programs and services within the city designed to eliminate discrimination, improve human relations, and effectuate the spirit and intent of applicable human rights legislation. In these efforts, the commission may enlist the support of community groups and public agencies. Eugene Police Department Bias Crimes General Orders 308-13 We will take an active role to protect all citizens against intimidation and harassment based upon bias and prejudice. We will promptly and thoroughly investigate all incidents that we suspect are bias crimes. COUNCIL OPTIONS 1.Request periodic updates from the Equity and Human Rights Center and Eugene Police Department on hate activity in Eugene. 2.Provide direction on the proposed anti-hate resolution and request it return to council for adoption. Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100630\S100630B.doc