In an effort to end violence against Asian Americans, New York City will send police officers to the streets in plain clothes starting this weekend. The plan, part of a dual approach announced on Thursday, will use a team of fully Asian police officers, according to New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “If you are going to commit a hate crime in New York City, we will find you,” Shea told reporters. “We will not tolerate anyone being attacked because of their skin color, the religion they love, their sexual preference or anything else.” So far, the city has recorded a total of 26 anti-Asian incidents in 2021. A dedicated Hate Crime Task Force in Asia is responsible for investigating these incidents.
Today, @NYPDShea outlined two new efforts to help prevent Asian hate crimes.
✅ Greater reach to Asian-American communities. ✅ Adding application layers. We will be using plainclothes policemen and in teams to prevent New Yorkers from becoming victims in the first place. pic.twitter.com/yyxyggeBSG – NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) March 25, 2021
Undercover agents will patrol public areas such as subways, supermarkets and other locations, according to Reuters. “The next person you aim for is through words, threatening activities – or whatever. Walking along a sidewalk or on a train platform can be a New York undercover cop. So, think twice, ” Shea added. Department head Rodney Harrison described the add-on as a “robust team”. However, he declined to specify the number of police officers involved, according to ABC 7 NY. The new plan coincides with the retirement of Deputy Inspector Stewart Loo, who served as one of the leading architects of the Hate Crime Task Force in Asia. Inspector Tommy Ng is replacing.
.@NYPDShea announces the retirement of Deputy Inspector Stewart Loo, one of the main architects of the @NYPDAsianHCTF. Dl Loo served in New York with distinction for 21 years. He will be sorely missed The venerable Inspector Tommy Ng will now take over the role – ensuring a seamless transition. pic.twitter.com/plWfVP3hnk
– James T. Byrne (@ByrneJamesT) March 25, 2021
In addition to deploying a secret force, New York police are also stepping up outreach efforts. Community forums were held recently in Chinatown, Flushing and Sunset Park. There is also a direct e-mail to hate crime task force investigators at [email protected], who can help with “non-emergency issues”. Featured image via Asia Hate Crime Task Force / New York Police Department
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