How to report hate crimes

Letters

Editor: In response to the article "Steveston anti-Semitism," (Bulletin, Feb. 20) Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region, would like to commend the Jewish Western Bulletin for ensuring that this incident was reported to the Provincial Hate Crime Team.

Hate crimes have a devastating and debilitating effect not only on the victim but on society as well. It is very important that members of our community, whether it be individuals, agencies or institutions, which experience or witness hate activity, report these incidents to the police, the provincial Hate Crime Team and Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region. While the government, the police and CJC, Pacific Region, have created programs to deal with hate activity, it is ultimately the victims who hold the key role to combating hate crimes.

CJC, Pacific Region, urges members of our community to report hate crimes to the proper law enforcement agencies and to our office so that we may ensure that our government remains committed to the consistent enforcement and prosecution of hate crimes.

If you are a victim of a hate crime:

• Call 911. Report the incident to the police so they can investigate. Make sure that you tell the police why you believe the incident was motivated by hate, bias or prejudice. Get the police file number.

• Call the B.C. Hate Crime Team to report the incident. The team can be reached at 604-660-2617.

• Notify Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region, of the incident so that it can be documented and so our office can follow up with the proper law enforcement agencies. Contact Romy Ritter, community relations co-ordinator, at 604-257-5101 or by e-mail [email protected].

Romy Ritter, community relations co-ordinator
Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region

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