SDNYC Statement on the First Audits of the NY Hate Crimes Act

Stonewall Democrats of NYC (SDNYC) commends NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli for issuing the first ever audit of the NY Hate Crimes Act at the request of NYS Senator Brad Hoylman. These audits shine a light on this important issue that directly impacts the safety of the LGBT community by examining the NYC Police Department (NYPD) and the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)' methods for recording and reporting hate crimes in NYC. SDNYC echoes the Comptroller's call for changes to the NYPD / DCJS' current methods for tracking of hate crimes and for the NYPD to better use the data collected to prevent future hate crimes in NYC. The NYPD has agreed to the audit's recommendations and SDNYC looks forward to reviewing an update from the Department in the near future. Click here for more information about the audits released today.

SDNYC President Eunic Ortiz said, "There are far too many hate crimes in our City each year, especially crimes against members of the LGBT community. The recommendations set forth by Comptroller DiNapoli and Senator Hoylman, along with the NYPD's promise to begin implementing these initial recommendations, is just the first step in combating these heinous crimes. SDNYC applauds the Comptroller and the Senator for their leadership on this issue and looks forward to working with our elected leaders and the NYPD to reduce the number of hate crimes in our City to the only acceptable number: ZERO."