HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-10-15 City Council (9)TO:
City of Palo Alto
9A
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE
OCTOBER 15, 2001 CMR:400:01
RESOLUTION DECLARING THE CITY OF PALO ALTO TO BE
A HATE-FREE ZONE
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council approve the attached resolution declaring the City of Palo
Alto to be a Hate-Free Zone.
BACKGROUND
On October 10, 2001, Council requested that staff prepare a resolution declaring the City of
Palo Alto to be a Hate-Free Zone and that the resolution be placed on the Consent Calendar for
the October 15, 2001 Council meeting. That resolution is attached.
DISCUSSION
In the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11,2001, innocent people
across the country and in our own community have been unfairly harassed or victimized based
on their perceived race, religion or national origin. Local incidents, although few in number,
prompted members of the community, as well as the City Council, to call for a public statement
affirming the City’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of every resident or visitor
and condemning such acts as an affront to our community values.
These sentiments are consistent with the "Not in Our Town" theme that was created at a
community rally after hate crimes were committed against the Jewish Community Center, and
continued in the Hate Crimes Workshop sponsored by the Police Department in April 2000.
Since the workshop, the Police Department has invested training funds in the development of
an in-house hate-crimes expert and has taken a leadership role in increasing coordination and
training for Bay Area hate-crimes investigators. The Department also maintains ongoing
CMR:400:01 Page 1 of 2
dialogues with individuals and groups who are potential or past victims of hate crimes in order
to facilitate community education and prevention in this critical area.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This resolution is consistent with existing City policy.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
PATRICK DWYER, Chief of Police
p A~2
Chief of Police
CITY MANAGER
BENEST
City Manager
CMR:400:01 Page 2 of 2
RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AFFIRMING THE CITY’S COMMITMENT TO ZERO TOLERANCE FOR HATE CRIMES
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto places a high value on the
diversity of our community, and inclusiveness; and
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto is committed to protecting the
individual rights and dignity of every resident and visitor in our
City; and
WHEREAS, in the wake of the national tragedy which occurred on
September ii, 2001, innocent people across our nation and in our own
community have unfairly and unjustly been the victims of hate
crimes, harassment or recrimination, based on their perceived race,
nationality or religion; and
WHEREAS, such crimes and incidents constitute an affront to the
values of our community, and damage the fabric of our society.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that the Council of the City
of Palo Alto hereby declare the City to be a Hate-Free Zone.
FURTHER, the City of Palo Alto will continue to bring all of
its resources to bear, in order to prevent, and when necessary
investigate and prosecute, any unlawful action or harassment of a
person or institution, based on the victim’s actua! or perceived
race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation,disability or
gender.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: October 15, 2001
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
City Manager