King County to consider creating Hate Crime Unit

SEATTLE — Legislation has been introduced that would create a Hate and Bias Crime Unit within the King County Sheriff’s Office.

King County council vice chair Reagan Dunn said the move is in response to an increase in crimes of hate and bias around the area.

“We must take meaningful action to stop the heinous acts of violence that are occurring in our communities,” Dunn said. “With hate crimes on the rise nationwide and here at home, having a dedicated unit of KCSO deputies would help ensure that these victims are made a priority here in King County.”

Reportedly, there have been a significant rise in hate crimes in King County, nearly doubling from 2018 to 2020.

“There is no room for hate and racial bias in our communities,” said King County Sheriff Mitzi G. Johanknecht. “It comes in many forms, such as bullying, racial epithets, verbal abuse and physical violence toward our LGBTQ or BIPOC neighbors. I thank Councilmember Dunn for recognizing this unconscionable hate is a bipartisan issue and will take all of us, standing together, to conquer.”

The planned unit would consist of four deputies and one support staff member.

Along with investigating hate crimes, they will also create a plan to encourage victims to report them. Multiple studies show the vast majority of hate crimes go unreported.

By definition, Washington state law says a hate crime is an intentional threat or injury to a person or property because of the victim’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity or disability.

Cox Media Group