The Issues
Public Safety &
Addressing Anti-Asian Hate
While overall crime in New York City has gone down over the years, Anti-Asian hate crimes have skyrocketed by 400%. No one should live in fear of being attacked, simply because of who they are or the color of their skin. Iwen believes we need to combat Anti-Asian hate crimes at every level of government. In order to stop Asian hate and all hate crimes, we need to learn, understand and respect each other’s differences but also create systems to bring those to justice and give them the help they may need.
To stop hate crimes, we have to stop the hate itself. We need to educate and celebrate a diverse variety of cultures, ethnicities, religions, and beliefs to help combat the misconceptions, discomfort, and fears that cultivate hate.
Iwen’s plan to tackle public safety for everyone includes:
Stopping the flow of illegal guns into our city from elsewhere and advocate for change on the Federal level
While law enforcement is important to deterring crime, she believes that a complete social network is needed to provide the proper support and help to those in need before they fall into the criminal justice system. We need to invest in mental health services, provide support for youthful offenders and create programs to prevent recidivism.
Provide culturally sensitive resources to help swiftly identify, apprehend, and prosecute those who commit hate crimes. Develop and implement a program for non English speaking victims to safely report hate crimes and to receive counseling and support. This will help build trust between the NYPD and the community.