PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (AP) -- State and local officials have formed a "Unity Task Force'' after several Long Island teenagers were accused of killing an Ecuadorean immigrant targeted because of his ethnicity.
The task force includes representatives of the state Division of Human Rights and Long Island elected leaders. Members have formed committees aimed at educating young people, policy makers and the media.
The Nov. 8 death of Marcelo Lucero has exposed allegations that Hispanics in the eastern Long Island community of Patchogue were regularly targeted for abuse, but many victims did not report crimes to police because they feared being asked about their immigration status.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy says police policy does not require crime victims to document that they are in the United States legally.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
