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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/06/1998MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Tuesday, October 6, 1998 7:00 p.m. Maplewood City Hall Conference Room A AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Finalize Calendar V. NEW BUSINESS A. HRC Interview B. Police Chief C. Diversity Contest D. Review Materials Police Dept. sends out for Bias Crimes E. Gold Plate Dinner F. Promo Sign G. November Meeting Date VI. OTHER BUSINESS VII. REPORTS A. City of Maplewood B. Agenda items for next time VIII. ADJOURNMENT C: \W P W I N60\H R C W G E N DA mber 1998 " Planning Meeting "' League of MN HRC's Conference ` Check expiration of members terms December 1998 " Finalize Diversity Award Event(s) " Begin Annual Report prep. " Prepare publicity for Diversity Award Event(s) March 1999 * Present Annual Report to Council - Chair June1999 " Prepare for Open House " Order book marks & key chains & diversity stickers '` Inservice HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION CALENDAR September 1998 - August 1999 October 1998 " Advertise/Interview if needed Jan HRC vacancy * Discuss Diversity Award Event(s) * Report on Annual Conf. "` Finalize Calendar " Review Contest Ad * Discuss Gold Plate Dinner * Promo Sign Januarv 1999 * Revise intro. letter to businesses & schools * Review 1 st draft of Annual Report * Plan community event '` New member starts " Plan Inservice " Mail publicity for Contests * Council appt. of Commission finalists ril 1999 * Present awards9d iversity/event '` Finalize Open House Attraction ` Vote on Diversity Award Submission " Schedule Award Ceremonies '' Present Awards November 1998 '' Interview Prospective Commissioners '` Plan Diversity Award Event(s) * Discuss sponsoring an event for community '` Solicit donations/diversity & poster contests Februarv 1999 � Finalize Annual Report " Continue planning community event, etc. " Finalize Inservice for May 1999 ' Inservice for HRC members " Present Awards 1999 * Open House/National Night Out NO MEETING SCHEDULED C:\WPWIN60\HRC\CALENDAR 9�8 CITY O� 1830 E. COUNTY ROAD B MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA 55109 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY - OFFICE OF CHIEF OF POLICE 612-770-4530 Dear Bias Crime Victim: The complaint you made with the Maplewood Police Department has been determined to be a bias crime and will be processed as such. As Chief of Police for the City of Maplewood, I am sending you the enclosed letter and brochure from the Maplewood Human Relations Commission. The letter is sent directly from me as a means of maintaining your confidentiality. The Maplewood Human Relations Commission is not affiliated with the Police Department or any other investigative body but is established to provide information and support. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me. MPR:js Enclosures Very truly yours, Michael P. Ryan, Chief of Police Maplewood Police Department Equa1 Opportwiity Employer CITY O� 1 �' ••� 1830 E. COL1N'I'Y ROAD B D�PLEWOOD, MINNFSOTA 55109 Dear Resident of Maplewood: It has come to the attention of the Maplewood Human Relations Commission that you have been a victim of a crime. We understand from authorities that the motivation for this act may have been racial bias and prejudice. The members of the Commission express regret that this has happened. Enclosed is a brochure outlining what your rights are in this case and what organizations you may want to contact for help and support. In addition, if you would like to talk with a member of the Commission, please contact Sherrie Le at 770-4524. We see once again that much work needs to be done to stop discrimination in our communities. We are saddened by this incident and are motivated to increase our efforts in the Human Rights arena so that this type of incident will not happen again. Sincerely, Marie Koehler, Chairperson Maplewood Human Relations Commission Enclosure Equa1 OpporEunity Employer ► What Can I Do To Stop Hate Crimes? The bigotry, fear, distrust and hatred associated with hate crimes are learned at an early age. Here's how you can help. • Speak out and teach your children and all young people to value the differences of people who make our state and nation great. •� Encourage law enforcement officials to strictly enforce bias-motivated crime statutes and support tough penalties for perpetrators. • Work with schools, community groups and law enforcement officials to make your neighborhood a safe place for all people. • Stay informed of the hate group activity and bias-motivated crime in your community. Network with your local police department and other agenicies to develop a chronology of incidents. • Develop a response strategy that includes as- sisting the victims of hate crimes by provid- ing support. • Remember that bias crimes are offenses against the entire community. Report all suspected cases. • Work with your local Human Rights Commis- sion m develop a Response Network to help your community respond to and prevent hate crimes. NOTE: T`his brochum is available upon request in alternate formats in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information, please call (612) 296-6196. ► Hate & Bias-Motivated Crime Resources Call or write these organizations for more information bias or hate crimes. The League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions 4221 Lake Road Robbinsdale, MN 55422 T'elephone: (612) 535-1051 Department of Human Rights 500 Bremer Tower 7th Place and Minnesota Street St. Paul, MN 55101 Telephone: (612) 296-5663 Jewish Communi#y Relations Council/ Anti-Defamation League 111 Third Avenue South Suite 112 Minneapolis, MN 55404 -['elephone: (612) 338-7816 NAACP 310 East 38th Street (Suite 136) Minneapolis, MN 55409 Telephone: (612} 822-8205 Urban League 411 E. 38th St. Minneapolis, MN 55409 Telephone: (612) 827-5673 Gay & Lesbian Community Action Council Sabathani Center, 5uite 204 310 E. 38th St. Minneapolis, MN 55409 Telephone: (612) 822-0127 Contact Your Local Police Department. ....................................................................................................................................................................................... HATE & BIAS CRIMES ............................................................................................ "Freedom is not real to me when I have it and my brother does not, when my nation enjoys it and another does not, when my race has achieved it and others have not." Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey May 2,1967 x���•.,'��'9n- , �� '' '� �' ' �� A Citizen s Guide : :'�-, -����-�= - �' From the Office of _k.. - d'•� .3: �_: �., i �j �°,�,y'� Attorney General �'• _ �ii�i� Habert H. Humphrey III � A Message From Attorney � What Is a Hate Crime? � How Can I Re ort a Hate Crime? General Humphrey p Victims of hate crimes have been robbed, raped and physically assaulted. Their homes have been burgalarized and crosses have been burned on their lawns. They have received hate mail and death threats. It's happened at their home, at their business, in their school, at the park and at their religious institutions. And it's all happened here in our backyard, in Minnesota. In 1993 alone, more than 350 incidents of bias-moti- vated crimes — crimes committed against an indi- vidua] because of who they are -- were committed in Minnesota. The criminals who commit hate crimes are motivated by fear and bigotry. Simply put, they are afraid of anyone who is different from them. And, they act out their fears in frightening and violent ways. It's time we take action to stop this senseless violence. Action begins with education. We must confront our fears and prejudices. We must learn about each other. We must work to make our neighborhoods safe for everyone. I hope that someday a hate crimes law will not be necessary. But, until we truly change attitudes, de- feat bigotry and overcome fear, we must work to- gether to prevent bias-motivated crimes and pmmote diversity in our society. ����� �� � Hubert H. Humphrey III Attomcy Gcneral In Minnesota certain crimes are called hate crimes when they are committed against a person or group because of the race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or national ori- gin of the victim. Hate crimes aliow for a penalty enhancement for an act that is already criminal.Crimes that can be classified as hate crimes are assault, criminal tres- pass, criminal damage to property, harassment or stalking. For these crimes, hate motivation may be consid- ered by the court as reason to impose a more se- vere sentence than for committing the same of- fense when not motivated by hate or bigotry. Hate crimes are based on fear, misunderstanding or dislike of a certain group of people. The fol- lowing are some examples: • Cross burning on a lawn. • Vandalism of a church, syna- gogue or cemetary. • An attack on an individual because of his or her accent. • Assaulting a person believed to be homosexual. � What Should I Do If I Think I am the Victim of a Hate Crime? Since 1988, Minnesota police departments are re- quired by law to collect statistics on al] the incidents of bias-motivated crime. Report any suspected hate crime to your local po- lice department as soon as it occurs. For additional assistance, contact the Attorney General's Office at (612) 296-6196. � Will I Be Needed in Court? You may be asked to testify in court. Brin� with you any evidence you might have, including: • photographs of physical injuries or property damage, • copies of any threatening written materials, and • dates and times of harassing phone calls. � Where Can I Go For Help? Talking about your experience can be an important step toward recovery. You may want to seek help from a doctor, counselor, victim-witness assistance program or social service agency. The agencies listed in this brochure can refer you to a program that suits your needs. � Penalties for Hate Crimes Persons convicted of hate crimes may be incarcer- If you have been physically injured, seek medical ated, fined, or ordered to perform comrnunity ser- attention first. Regardless of whether you have vice. Many crimes motivated by hate or bigotry been injured, report the crime immediately to your are punishable with even longer prison terms and local police department. stiffer fines. ...............................................................................................................................................................................