Friday, November 20, 2009
10:00 a.m.
Council Chamber, John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004

Councilmember Phil Mendelson, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, announces a public oversight hearing on Hate Crimes in the District of Columbia and Police Response to Reports of Hate Crimes. The public oversight hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on November 20, 2009 in the Council Chamber of the John A. Wilson Building.

The purpose of this oversight hearing is to hear testimony from government and public witnesses about hate crimes in the District - including trends, police response, and prosecution of the law. A similar hearing December 12, 2008 revealed to this committee questions about police response and reporting. Since that time it appears that either reporting has improved or there has been an increase in bias crimes based on sexual orientation - or both. On September 30, 2009 the Police Complaints Board issued a report and recommendations regarding hate crimes. In addition, there has been renewed controversy regarding how the Metropolitan Police Department's Liaison Units are currently operating and MPD's plans for the future of these units, including the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit. Overall, the question about which the Committee seeks testimony is whether law enforcement is responding effectively to reduce the occurrence of hate crime in the District of Columbia. The hearing will explore these concerns.

Those who wish to testify should contact Ms. Deborah Kelly, Legislative Clerk, at (202) 724-7808, by fax at (202) 724-6664, or via e-mail at dkelly@dccouncil.us, and provide their name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business Wednesday, November 18, 2009. Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony. If submitted by the close of business on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 the testimony will be distributed to Councilmembers before the hearing. Witnesses should limit their testimony to five minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to Ms. Kelly or to Ms. Cynthia Brock-Smith, Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004. The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2009.