Task force fights hate crimes

COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations is hoping money can help catch those behind hate crimes in North Idaho. The organization's board of directors said Wednesday it is offering $1,000 to assist Crime Stoppers to encourage people to step up with information that leads to an arrest. "We want to send a loud message who we are and what we stand for," said Tony Stewart, KCTFHR spokesman. The board wants to express its "deepest concern and outrage over the recent series of hate crimes that have taken place in the Inland Northwest." Since May, there have been eight incidents in the Coeur d'Alene area that include people being attacked, beaten or threatened because of their race or religion. The organization has decided to spearhead a campaign to assist law enforcement agencies in investigating the hate crimes. Stewart said hate crimes are happening throughout the United States. "It's not just here," he said. He believes it is a small minority behind the hate crimes in North Idaho, but the recent wave of incidents have raised concerns for the task force. "We want to get on top of this," Stewart said. "Our role as a task force is to be very vigilant on these." The KCTFHR has supported victims of malicious harassment and hate crimes with regard to both criminal prosecution as well as civil action for 29 years. "We shall send a message that the people of Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, North Idaho and the Inland Northwest will never tolerate hate crimes or malicious harassment of our citizens," said Marshall Mend, KCTFHR board member. Crime Stoppers can be reached at (800) 222-tips (8477); call KCTFHR at (208) 765-3932 For more information, visit the Web site www.crimestoppersinlandnorthwest.org. Other organizations and individuals are encouraged to pledge money to assist in finding the perpetrators of hate crimes, Stewart said.