New York Police Department creates Asian hate crimes task force as attacks spike amid coronavirus pandemic
- Officers observed ‘very disturbing trend’ of videos being shared online that show verbal and physical assault against Asian-Americans
- Specialised team formed as victims sometimes reluctant to follow up with investigators due to language barriers, cultural differences and fear of police
The New York Police Department has created a task force specifically to deal with a rise in hate crimes against Asian-Americans during the coronavirus pandemic.
There have been 21 reported anti-Asian hate crimes leading to 17 arrests since March around the time the pandemic intensified in the United States, figures that are higher than normal, Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison told reporters on Tuesday.
“This increase was cultivated due to the anti-Asian rhetoric about the virus that was publicised and individuals began to attack Asian New Yorkers – either verbal attack or physical assault,” Harrison said. “We saw a spike in every borough throughout the city.”
Harrison said although the city’s Hate Crimes Task Force was investigating the crimes, the specialised team was necessary because victims were sometimes reluctant to follow up with investigators due to language barriers, cultural differences and fear of the police.
Harrison said the task force will be permanent and other similar task forces may be considered.
Deputy Inspector Stewart Loo proposed the task force be created in May amid the city’s biggest spike in hate crimes. Loo said that because the team’s 25 Asian-American officers speak multiple language they will be able to develop a rapport with victims without using a translator.