“Having a mandated training after the fact though…I think it’s something we need to take a look at. It’s almost like ‘thoughts and prayers,’ and we’ve had enough of that. So, we need…a little bit more action,” Kilmnick says.
He adds that stronger laws need to be on the book.
“I would’ve been happier today if it was an announced that hate crime laws are going to be strengthened and that people who commit crimes are going to be kept behind bars and kept in jail a long time,” Kilmnick says.
The governor’s second piece of legislation would be to establish a statewide push for the inclusion, tolerance and understanding of diversity.
Kilmnick says this is vital, but it can’t work if things stay divided.
“So, we need to step up those efforts to be able to have the education, the appropriate education in talking about all different communities, all different families, all races and all different people,” he says.
State police are also set to increase protection for communities at risk of hate crimes.
Kilmnick says his network is working closely with both county executives on Long Island and both police commissioners to make sure all LGBT Network locations are safe. They are also working to identify other places that could be a target.