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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem B: Workshop with Human Rights Commission ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Workshop: City Council Priority Issue - Joint Meeting with Human Rights Commission Meeting Date: December 29, 2006 Agenda Item Number: B Department: Human Resource and Risk Services Staff Contact: Lauren Chouinard www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5663 ISSUE STATEMENT This item is part of the City Council’s priority to “Enhance understanding of race issues and improve race relationships.” One of the action plan items in the priority calls for a meeting between the council and the Human Rights Commission (HRC) to explore strategies for the council, HRC, and the City organization to more effectively assess, manage, and support issues of race and diversity in the community. A second action plan item calls for the development of an integrated, rapid response plan outlining actions to be taken by the council when acts of racism happen in the community. The focus of this joint meeting will be a discussion regarding the development of a hate incident response plan. Many of the hate incidents in Eugene are acts of racism. Attachment A is a rough draft of a response plan provided for discussion purposes. BACKGROUND In August 2005, the City Council adopted an action plan for the council priority on race. In July 2006, the City Council met with 65 members of the communities of color for a dialogue on issues of race and race relationships in the community. In October 2006, an ad hoc committee known as the Community Committee on Race (CCR) was formed. The CCR was tasked with reviewing notes and suggestions that came from the July meeting and developing a set of recommendations from the community to the council. One of the topics of discussion by the CCR has been the need for public officials to swiftly respond when acts of racism and hate occur in the community. This has also been a topic of discussion by the Human Rights Commission. Given the convergence of the council’s action plan items, discussions at the CCR and HRC, and the recent occurrences of racist and hate graffiti in the community, the topic of a hate incident response plan was chosen for the council/HRC workshop on January 8. The meeting will begin with a brief summary of the CCR’s progress to date. Phyllis Lee, facilitator of the July 12 City Council and community meeting, will be present to facilitate the workshop discussion. RELATED CITY POLICIES This workshop is related to action plan items in the City Council priority to enhance understanding of race issues and improve race relationships. L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070108\S070108B.doc COUNCIL OPTIONS None. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION None. SUGGESTED MOTION None. ATTACHMENTS A. Draft of Hate Incident Response Plan including additional questions for discussion FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Lauren Chouinard Telephone: 682-5663 Staff E-Mail: lauren.d.chouinard@ci.eugene.or.us Staff Contact: Greg Rikhoff Telephone: 682-8439 Staff E-Mail: greg.s.rikhoff@ci.eugene.or.us L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070108\S070108B.doc ATTACHMENT A City of Eugene Response to Hate Incidents GENERAL STATEMENT : This document serves as a guide for making decisions when responding to hate incidents and hate crimes. It is recognized that responses will vary by incident and some but not all of these steps may be utilized. A tailored response is important in order to most effectively: Support and empower the victims/survivors Inform and gain support from the community Protect the integrity of any criminal investigation Disempower and catch the perpetrators DEFINITIONS Hate Crime : Any crime motivated by prejudice based on the perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation or beliefs, membership or activity in or behalf of a labor organization or against a labor organization, physical or mental handicap, age, economic status, or citizenship of the victim. Hate crimes can target one specific individual, family or group. Range: telephonic harassment, graffiti/property damage to assault or murder Non-criminal Hate Activity : Any biased or bigoted acts that don’t break a law. Law enforcement cannot involve itself in non-criminal activity. This type of activity rarely targets a specific individual but is generalized to a group or groups of people. Range: Jokes, public comments, offensive signs or t-shirts to leafleting and flier distribution. Intention : These crimes and actions differ from others because of their intent to send a message that implies “We don’t like you. We don’t want you here. We will hurt you.” RESPONSE STEPS 1)Evaluate and assess incident ? Define size and significance of incident From what source is the information coming from? o ?Victim/survivor ?Community member ?Law enforcement ?Media/Media Report ?Other How large was the initial impact of the action? o ATTACHMENT A What is the potential for catching the perpetrators? o ? Assess needs of victims, survivors, affected communities, and entire community Direct contact o Support emotional and practical needs o General information o ? Document incident Collect information on o ?Location of incident(s) ?Copies of evidence/photos 2)Address needs and validate and empower directly - affected parties ? Contact affected parties Assure parties they are not alone o Clarify incident facts o Connect parties with available services and resources o Empower those affected to decide what to do based on their best interest o ? Contact targeted communities/vulnerable communities 3)Educate the larger community ? Develop public statement ? Organize/participate in counter action (leafleting, vigil, etc.) ? Engage clean-up resources when available (Police Volunteer’s Huckleberry Patrol for Mid-Town private properties, Public Works staff for City parks and City property, etc.) ? Utilize media Create a climate that thwarts hate activity 4) ? Develop on-going strategies that send the “zero tolerance for prejudice” message ? Ensure that everyone know their roles when crimes do occur ? Sponsor and participate in community events that support and educate ? Track hate crimes and incidents ? Collaborate with community organizations, schools and other agencies ATTACHMENT A WHO HAS A ROLE? Depending on the scope of the incident, some or all of the following may be involved: ? Law enforcement (as first responders if activity reaches criminal level) ? Human Rights Program ? City Council ? City Manager’s Office ? Public information officers ? Community ? Advocacy groups ? Public and civic partners (chamber of commerce, faith communities, Diversity and Human Rights Consortium (DHRC) partners ? Local media Additional Questions and Details to be Determined ? Should a size and significance action threshold be developed? ? What process should be developed to ensure timely notification of responders? (e.g., Should we set up a phone tree? If Police discover the crime first, who is their first call to?) ? Should we develop public service announcements and get agreements from all media to play them when a certain magnitude of hate crimes is committed? ? Is there a difference in response if the incident appears to target a specific individual vs. appearing to target a larger community? ? Who is the appropriate responder? EPD? City Council? City Manager’s Office? Human Rights Commission? Community advocates?