Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Council Member Debi Rose announced a plan to combat the hate crime incidents that have recently occurred on Staten Island. Their plan, entitled “I Am Staten Island,” unites neighborhood associations, citizens groups, and community leaders, as well as elected and law officials, with the goal of ending bias-related crimes.

As an integral component of the plan, The City University of New York’s College of Staten Island (CSI) has agreed to help combat bias by providing diversity and tolerance workshops and forums for the local community.

“I am proud to support the work of Speaker Quinn, Council Member Rose, and the Staten Island community by bringing the resources of CSI to this important initiative. CSI has extensive background and expertise in diversity training and is dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion,” said CSI President Dr. Tomás D. Morales.

“This plan, by incorporating the influence and expertise of broad and diverse sectors, religious leaders, and elected officials, provides the multi-pronged approach we need in order to galvanize the Staten Island community to action and eradicate this trend of senseless bias-related crime,” said Speaker Quinn in the recent press release.

“I applaud the community’s immediate response to the vicious bias crimes plaguing the North Shore community. In just three weeks, we have put in place a large based coalition–‘I Am SI,’ consisting of elected officials, business leaders, law enforcement agencies, clergy, and community-based organizations, which have developed comprehensive workable solutions with a commitment to implementing [these initiatives], said Council Member Rose.

Building upon the power of partnerships, the plan also calls for the New York City Department of Transportation to launch a public service announcement campaign on the Staten Island Ferry; the Department of Education will expand the “Respect for All” program to include high school-level anti-bias curriculum and training thanks to funding from the New York City Council; and a dynamic new synergy with local businesses will be implemented to increase safety.

Full details of this plan can be found online at the New York City Council Website.