Guest column

Amend state laws to address hate crimes against Asians

Posted

Earlier this month, the Legislative Majority convened a hearing focusing on anti-Asian hate crimes and violence. Across the country, acts of anti-Asian hate have occurred with an alarming frequency, and tragically, we have seen several horrific acts committed in and around Nassau County recently, as well as in other areas in New York state.

Nassau has one of the fastest growing Asian populations in America, estimated at about 10 percent countywide, including a large Southern Asian populace in the Valley Stream area and other Asian communities within my district as well. Therefore, it is imperative that the Nassau County Police Department and district attorney’s office have the resources to act on and prevent acts of hatred and violence against Asians, or any humans for that matter.

Likewise, it’s important to ensure that the NCPD provides targeted means for victims of hate crimes to report such incidents, including department personnel to communicate in the languages of our diverse population.

During the hearing, several Asian American community activists testified that many individuals were afraid to report hate crimes in part because of New York’s new discovery reform laws mandating that prosecutors turn over to defendants names and contact information of victims and witnesses within 15 days of arraignment. That includes their names, addresses  and phone numbers.

To address this disturbing matter, I recently joined my colleagues by sending a letter to our state leaders calling on them to expeditiously amend the discovery reform laws to exclude personal information regarding victims and witnesses from being shared with defendants, specifically in cases of hate crimes. With the current climate of fear from physical and verbal assault within the Asian community and other racial biases we are witnessing, state leaders must immediately amend the law. 

I will continue to do anything on my part to see that this law is changed and to make it easier for residents to report hate crimes without fear of reprisal. Racial hate and bias have no place in our society and violence of this nature against anyone, is reprehensible and must not be tolerated. 

The surge in attacks around the country is in direct opposition to the freedoms we hold dear.  I, along with every member of the county’s Legislative Majority, universally condemn such behavior and anyone committing crimes by acting in this manner should be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 

 

Gaylor is a county legislator for Legislative District 6, which comprises Malverne, Lynbrook, North Lynbrook, Valley Stream and portions of Rockville Centre, Hewlett, Franklin Square and Woodmere.