I just read on wnyc.org that there is a bill being sponsored by Queens Assemblyman Rory Lancman to make attacks on the homeless a hate crime. And I say it’s about time.

The push for this legislation is coming after a recent study done by the Coalition for the Homeless which states there’s been an increase in violence against the homeless, including a staggering killing of 244 homeless individuals over the last decade.

It has been said that this legislation may deter those who target the homeless. It has been found that the majority of these crimes are committed by young males with no previous criminal record. By instituting heavy consequences to these crimes, then the young male offenders might not commit them in the first place.

Maryland is the first state to have expanded its hate crime law, adding harsher penalties for attacking homeless people.

The homeless are targeted for attacks because they are vulnerable and therefore should be considered hate crimes. Hopefully this bill will pass soon and we’ll see the effects of it with a lower crime rate against the homeless.