CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD/WBTW) – The City of Charleston will hold a second reading on Tuesday for an ordinance that would create hate and intimation as a separate offense.
The ordinance would amend Chapter 21 of the Code of the City of Charleston to add a new section providing that a person who violates another section of Chapter 21 with the intent to intimidate another person because of their race, religion, creed, color, gender, or sexual orientation is guilty of a separated offense of hate intimidation.
Charleston Chief of Police Luther Reynolds says this is a step in the right direction, sending a message to the community that the city will not tolerate hate.
The ordinance comes three months after a transgender woman was assaulted outside of a nightclub in downtown Charleston.
Christopher Price was charged with aggravated assault, but did not suffer any penalties even though police found the assault was motivated by hate.
If passed, this ordinance would allow police to charge suspects like Price with an additional charge based on his intent.
WBTW News13 asked City of Myrtle Beach officials if any similar ordinances exist for the city.
“We don’t have a city ordinance that identifies or addresses ‘hate crimes.’ That’s something the South Carolina General Assembly can address,” said Mark Kruea, with the City of Myrtle Beach.