JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – When you think of the word “hate crime,” one usually thinks of crimes against race, gender, sexuality or creed. But one bill filed this December looks to change the definition of a hate crime to include offenses against first responders and law enforcement.
It’s the same bill that Rep. Marsha Haefner, R-St. Louis, filed in the House last year, with just a technical change to correct a number, but one she says is important due to the recent attacks on law enforcement over the past year.
“I really believe that, and other states are starting to follow suit, what’s going on with our uniformed first responders is wrong, as far as how they’re being targeted just for doing their job,” Haefner said. “I thought there should be enhanced penalties for anyone who commits a crime against them.”
Over the past year, national news has reported on a number of attacks on law enforcement officers and first responders.
“There absolutely has been an increase, and it’s on the news almost every day,” Haefner said. “I think there is an outrage, but not one that has gotten a lot of attention. Law enforcement is the only barrier we have between chaos and order.”
In 2016, ambush attacks have become both a danger and a reality for those who put on the uniform in the United States.
The National Law Enforcement Memorial (NLEM) says officer fatalities are up 21 percent from last year, and the fatal shooting of police officers is up 68 percent from this point last year. Nationwide, the number comes in at a staggering 137 police deaths, up from 113 in 2015. Sixty-four of those deaths this year were related to firearms.
Texas leads the nation with 18 deaths, the majority of those stemming from the deadly attack on officers in Dallas this past July. Five members of law enforcement were killed in an ambush during a peaceful protest. Baton Rouge was also the site of a deadly attack on police, claiming the lives of three and injuring three others, while two officers were gunned down in Iowa this past November.
Missouri has seen two officers killed in the line of duty in 2016, as well as several injured during attacks. Officer Blake Snyder of the St. Louis County Police Department was killed in October while he and his partner responded to a disturbance.
“Blake Snyder was close to my district, and I had met him before and know a lot of people that worked with him,” Haefner said.
The bill itself would update the law to include the phrase “or because of the victim’s employment as a 5 law enforcement officer or first responder” under the definition of a hate crime. The penalties are either a Class C or Class D felony, depending on the crime.
“I’m really glad to do this again, just to draw attention to the fact that when you commit a crime against police officers, it will be taken seriously, and show support to first responders,” Haefner said.
Haefner says that she has spoken with House Speaker Todd Richardson about the bill, whom she says has given his full support. She has spoken with members of law enforcement to get their take on the proposed bill, and says that they’ve all been grateful for the thoughts. Haefner anticipates opposition to making an attack on law enforcement a hate crime, but respectfully disagrees.
“This is just another way to show support for the men and women who protect us every day,” she said. “They need as much support from the community as they can get.”
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
