Campaign to combat bias crimes to start this fall

GOSHEN — An initiative to raise awareness about anti-Semitism and other diversity issues will be underway in Orange County this fall.
District Attorney David Hoovler announced on June 27 his office's initiative, in cooperation with the Orange County Jewish Federation, that arose from the desecration two years ago of a Jewish cemetery in Warwick. The district attorney will also increase efforts to investigate and prosecute bias crimes.
The campaign will include:
• A series of public-service educational materials about anti-Semitism, paid for by donations from the federation and from the district attorney’s asset-forfeiture funds.
• Training for police officers on the effective investigation of bias crimes.
“We live in one of the most diverse nations on Earth,” said Hoovler. "And in that environment, illegal bias against others is intolerable. When people commit crimes against others due to their victims’ religion or race or gender or any other characteristic that the law protects, we must treat those crimes very seriously. Through this initiative, we intend to raise awareness about anti-Semitism and other diversity issues, and to provide our law enforcement officers with some tools to enable them to properly bring to justice those who commit bias crimes. Hopefully, those efforts can make Orange County a better and more tolerant place to live.”