City makes effort to fight hate crimes

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo's gay and lesbian community is getting some direct answers Friday night about the city's efforts to fight hate crimes. Those answers coming right from the top. And, they're coming on the same day news broke about an arrest in the New Year's stabbing of Lindsay Harmon.

Suzanne Grover, 21, of Tonawanda is charged with second-degree assault, and a grand jury will decide whether it does in fact qualify as a more serious hate crime.

"And we also believe we have proof that shows the offense was motivated by bias," said Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita.

"There are a lot of crimes that don't get solved, against a lot of different people, it was solved" said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.

But, many think the Buffalo Police Department could find more crimes like this.

"If you don't have police that are sensitive and trained to recognize what this is or ask the appropriate questions, and or collect the appropriate evidence, you're talking about a fairyland scenario. It will never happen," said Buffalo resident Paul Morgan.

Buffalo resident Ryan Smith said, "I get called a dyke almost everyday of my life Why? Because those people aren't educated. They don't know. That is the real issue."

While the mayor did not commit to new sensitivity training for each officer, he does promise regular meetings with Buffalo's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

Brown said, "But initially, as we're getting started, certainly we will meet every six weeks to work on some protocols and systems to work more closely with the community."