PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police say hate crimes have increased in Philadelphia since the start of the war in Gaza and one City Council member thinks it’s time to sharpen the city’s hate crime law.
“In today’s atmosphere — and it’s stemming from global conflicts — people are less tolerant,” said Philadelphia City Councilmember Curtis Jones, who introduced a bill at this week’s session that would extend the “hate crime” designation.
“We need to be more specific about where we draw the line.”
Philadelphia’s hate crime legislation covers crimes against individuals or groups but Jones’ bill would add businesses to the list of targets for which prosecution could be enhanced if it was determined that the offense was motivated by bias.
Jones says the protection would extend to businesses such as kosher restaurants and LGBTQ-oriented bars.
He cites an incident of damage to a Halal food truck as an example of the type of crime that might not otherwise get the “hate crime” enhancement in prosecution.
“We want to be in a position to hold them accountable — so, the more defined the penalties and legislation is, the more we can hard-check people when they start that kind of negative activity,” Jones said.
“It is a hate crime, not just towards people but toward property as well.”
His bill will get a hearing before coming up for a vote.