Combatting Hate Crimes: Wethersfield Police Department Holds Community Discussion
- Mark Jahne
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
by Mark Jahne
Editor
Photos by Mark Jahne
The state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection reports that hate crimes have been steadily rising in Connecticut in recent years.
With that in mind, the Wethersfield Police Department hosted a community discussion the evening of Jan. 20. Those who attended learned how the state and its 169 cities and towns are responding, how these crimes are identified, reported and investigated, and how the public can play a role in preventing such crimes.
The primary speakers were Police Chief Rafael Medina III and Christian Watson, state’s attorney for the Judicial District of New Britain. Also on hand were several representatives of the State Police Hate Crimes Investigative Unit.
Hate crimes are defined as criminal offenses motivated by bias against race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. They involve violence, threats or property damage.
There are also bias incidents that do not involve any of those three qualifying factors. Hate speech is defined as expressing hatred or bias based upon the various reasons listed above. While offensive, it is not a crime unless it is tied to a criminal act.
The State Police Hate Crimes Investigative Unit was established by law in 2022. It serves as the central repository for law enforcement-related hate crime information statewide.
HCIU reviews statewide hate crimes, bias incidents and crimes with bias elements. Encouraging citizens, schools and others to report possible hate crimes is primary to its mission.
The unit’s literature states that reporting incidents is important because it assists law enforcement in the prevention of future hate crimes and allows it to identify trends of hate and bias. In addition, lack of reporting may lead to offenders committing additional acts of hate.
It also states that all reports are taken seriously and encourages people to contact their local police department to report such incidents. Officers will review the report and determine if the incident meets the level of a hate crime.
Even if it doesn’t, these reports can still help bring attention to community safety concerns. They can also help law enforcement prevent future crimes and identify trends.
“Hate crimes are a very important topic in today’s age,” Medina said. “Awareness is key.”
He encouraged anyone in town who believes that they have been the victim of a hate crime or bias incident to report it to the police.
“We’re here to answer questions. I really believe that knowledge drives change in our communities,” Lt. Haley Russenberger said.
She is the commander of HCIU. She was accompanied by Sgt. Nicholas Caez, Det. Michael Dargan and Det. Julia Stoner. Also on hand was Michael Bloom, senior director of external affairs and engagement as well as hate crimes initiative coordinator.
Bloom said this initiative was founded “in response to the hate we are seeing in our state and country. A big part of the initiative is public education.”
He added that many people are nervous about reaching out to the police which is why this unit doesn’t wait for phone calls or emails.
“We will meet you where you are,” he said. “We want to know about all hate incidents.”
Bloom added that many of the incidents of hate and bias occur in schools and it is important that schools report these so that an investigation can begin if warranted and actions can be taken to correct such behavior at a young age.
That includes cyber bullying and other hateful or biased behavior on social media or other Internet platforms.
He added that hate crimes, beyond the harm they do to victims, also spread a broader message of intolerance, fear and division. Most of them are motivate by either race or religion.
“These are traumatic events. It’s very personal. We don’t want to see the numbers go up, but they are,” Stoner said.
One way to combat that is better reporting. HCIU serves as a repository for hate crimes and bias incidents statewide and the more reports it receives, the better it can prevent future incidents and crimes. WL
For more information call the Hate Crimes Investigative Unit at 860-685-8327 or email hate.crimes@ct.gov. Another resource is portal.ct.gov/hatecrimes.
Additional resources:
Office of Victims Service
800-822-8428
Victim Compensation Program
888-286-7347
Victims of Crime Act
800-505-9000 or 888-771-3126
Office of the Victim Advocate
860-550-6632