Recently a Staten Island man was charged with a hate crime for sending and hand delivering intimidating and racist correspondence to The Pride Center of Staten Island, located on Victory Boulevard.

The individual who admitted to multiple acts of hate was arrested and charged with harassment and harassment as a hate crime. He was arraigned on September 13^th and released on his own recognizance.

In a FBI report released, there was a 17 percent rise in hate crimes across America. The annual report showed there were 7,175 bias crimes, which targeted 8,493 victims based on their race and sexual orientation, reported in 2017. The hate crime totals were comprised of 59.6 percent acts against a victim based on race, 20.6 percent because of religion and 15.8 percent for sexual orientation.

“These violent acts of hate, whether against a sex orientation, race or religion, should not and will not be tolerated in our communities here on the North Shore.

These acts are despicable violations of our core values as Americans. I am particularly troubled by the increase in anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes that are continuing to plaque our country. One act, is one to many and I plan to work closely with community, religious and law enforcement leaders to prevent these acts from happening against innocent and law abiding residents,” said Assemblyman Charles D. Fall.