The City of Eugene Human Rights Commission is deeply distressed by recent acts of violence against homeless persons in our Eugene community. The Human Rights Commission believes each individual has inherent worth and is valuable to our community. Hate, violence, harassment and bias activity affects all of us, and threatens community support, safety and security.
Threats to Homeless Persons are Illegal
Hate crimes, including harassment and bias incidents are crimes motivated by the prejudice of a perpetrator targeting a victim because of the victim’s perceived association with a group. These heinous crimes are often done to induce fear and intimidation among specific, targeted community groups. Prosecution of hate crimes against our homeless community members, and other targeted groups, carry extra penalties and help protect our community.
What You Can Do
Hate activity can test our community, and we all can play a role in effective response. Our collective, community effort is our greatest resource, and we must respond to these heinous acts. The Human Rights Commission encourages each of us to remain aware of violent predatory acts against homeless people. The Commission encourages active reporting, if you are a witness to hate, bias, threats, and malicious activity. If you see a violent act, graffiti, flyers, or hear hate or bias speech regarding our homeless population, or any other groups, please report it immediately. One way to document such atrocious acts, if you are a witness, includes taking a photo via mobile phone or noting any information about perpetrators, hate activity, or events and sharing these as soon as possible with the City of Eugene Police Department or the Equity and Human Rights Center. The City of Eugene and Police Department have experienced many recent successes solving homicides of homeless persons by collaborating with community members and deploying excellent patrol and investigative staff.
City of Eugene Policy
It is the policy of the City of Eugene, Eugene Police Department, Human Rights Commission, and Equity and Human Rights Center to commit all available resources to investigating all reports of hate, bias, harassment and violence. These crimes have no place in our community.
Contact Information:
Eugene Police Department
Eugene Police Tip line: 541/682-8888
In emergency, dial 911.
Equity and Human Rights Center
541/682-5177
ehrcenter@ci.eugene.or.us
99 W. 10th, Suite 116
Atrium Building, across from the downtown bus station and library
