During the Irmo Town Council regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 19th tthe town council adopted the first reading of a hate crimes ordinance that would add an enhanced charge for intimidation to the current list of offenses and provisions in the town code where hate is a motivating factor. “Only half of our town is covered by a county hate crime law”, said Councilwoman Phyllis Coleman. “We need to offer it to everyone in our town.” Coleman was referring to the hate crimes law already established in Richland County. Lexington County has yet add one.
A public hearing along with second and final reading will be held on Sept. 16.
South Carolina and Wyoming are the only two states to not have a statewide hate crimes law…