Add phone numbers and contact info on lawn signs advising people who to contact if they experience hate, bias
Black Lives matter is a movement that started because of racism and hate. Anti Semitic Graffiti. Crimes and harassment against the Asian community, hatred by some against Muslims; Anti Asian bias. Harassment against the LGBT community. We need to come up with a plan to combat hate and racism.
Many victims of hate crimes don't know who to complain to or may be reluctant to file complaints against those who are participating in acts of hate, racism
I suggest that the Greenburgh Human RIghts Committee, working with the Westchester County District Attorney's office and the Westchester County Human Rights Commission consider a lawn sign campaign with phone numbers of the DAs hate crimes unit or the County Human Rights Commission. The signs could be placed all over town encouraging people to report hate crime incidents. The District Attorney's office set up a hate crimes hotline: 995-8477.We might want to consider inviting students to help design the lawn signs. Get students involved at a young age. We could have a contest -winners lawn sign would be used. We could honor the student who wins at a Town Board meeting.
I believe that more people would report incidents with this strategy. And, as a town we would be sending a strong message to the community that Greenburgh won't tolerate any hate or racism.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor