Coeur d'Alene combats 'hate crimes'

The Coeur d’Alene City Council will consider adding a new chapter to the city's municipal code to combat hate crimes when it meets Tuesday. 

“It is imperative that the city of Coeur d’Alene does everything possible to protect the rights of all individuals," said Mayor Jim Hammond in a Thursday press release. 

The new chapter, entitled “Hate Crimes,” will create a separate offense if a person commits a current offense, such as malicious injury to property and disorderly conduct, "because of the victim’s actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or national origin," according to the press release. 

A city report said, "The criminalization of this behavior will enable the city to prosecute racially motivated crimes, leading to separate charges and enhanced penalties in appropriate cases." 

Any person found to have violated the law would be guilty of a misdemeanor, subject to fines, community service and would be ineligible for up to three years for any city license, permit or activity. 

"The proposed chapter demonstrates the city’s commitment to ensuring that our citizens and visitors are treated with respect and dignity," the release said. 

The city has had two reported racial incidents this year, the first on March 21 involving the University of Utah women's basketball team in downtown Coeur d'Alene that received national attention. The team was in the area for the NCAA women’s basketball tournament in Spokane. 

“As they were walking on the sidewalk along Sherman Avenue after dinner, they were subjected to an incident of racial harassment,” the city report said. 

An investigation determined the identity of a Post Falls teenager, “who made the offensive statements which contained the racial slur. Unfortunately, the current law did not allow for the prosecution of this young man.” 

A second incident was reported May 24 "when children from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe were subjected to racial harassment by multiple individuals in McEuen Park. Again, the despicable conduct did not rise to the level of a crime under either State law or City ordinance,” the city report said. 

According to the staff report, communities throughout the country have discovered “that common ordinances prohibiting disorderly conduct and similar offenses are simply not broad enough to criminalize the type of conduct demonstrated in these two incidents."

Chief Allan, chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, said they support efforts to stomp out hate and welcome partners in fostering safety and respect.  

“I commend the city of Coeur d’Alene, not only for stepping up and taking action to protect our community, but also for sending a clear message that Coeur d’Alene will not tolerate that behavior,” he said. 

Councilor Amy Evans said, "Hateful behavior will not be tolerated in our community." 

She added that this new chapter of the code "is a critical step to show our ongoing commitment to fighting racism and discrimination in Coeur d’Alene.” 

Evans encouraged citizens to take a stand, as well.

“If you see something, say something,” she said. 

Councilor Christie Wood said she initially had questions about the legality of the proposed law but said city attorneys are "very confident" it has solid legal standing.

She said Coeur d’Alene has long been a leader in fighting hate crimes. 

“It is important for the city to continue to send a strong message we're going to support human rights, civil rights and dignity for all, and we'll do that through strong city ordinances,” Wood said. 

Councilor Kiki Miller said it was “really unfortunate it had to come to this” because of “a few that made it look like our community supported those actions.” 

The vast majority of Coeur d’Alene residents are kind and respectful, Miller said, but the voices of a few have hurt an entire town, including businesses. 

“It is time to make a statement this is not acceptable,” Miller said. “It’s time to take action.” 

Linda Coppess, president and CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber, said business and community leaders have held recent brainstorming sessions to talk about an “actionable plan" to combat racism.

All in the group “feel it is extremely important for us to join together to take a stand against any kind of hateful behavior,” Coppess said.

Tony Stewart, secretary of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, said the proposed ordinance is similar to federal and state laws. 

He said the KCTFHR was instrumental in getting Idaho’s 1983 law passed that made it a felony to maliciously harass someone because of “race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin.” 

He said the city’s ordinance will be more expansive and give its legal department the tool it needs to fight hate crimes. 

“This is saying, ‘not in our town,’” Stewart said. 

The City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Coeur d'Alene Public Library Community Room.