Long Island Congressman Calls For Hate Crime Hotline

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (CBSNewYork)- A Long Island lawmaker thinks he may have a solution to an alarming rise in hate crimes, both in his community and nationwide.

Congressman Steve Israel has proposed a toll-free national hotline, an easy way for victims of hate crimes to report what happened to them.

"I want to make sure that if you believe that you are a victim of a hate crime, you have somebody to turn to," Israel said.

He adds that the hotline would help victims find mental and physical health services.

As WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported, the program would then get the FBI involved, allowing them to track hate crime data across the country.

In:
• Hate Crime