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Tacoma Police Department Launches Safe Place Initiative
-- Initiative Encourages Local Businesses, Schools and Organizations to Provide Refuge to Victims of Crime --  

As part of ongoing efforts to respond to, investigate and address hate crimes, the Tacoma Police Department has joined more than 275 other law enforcement agencies to launch a Safe Place Initiative.

“Tacoma is a compassionate and welcoming city, and the Safe Place initiative will help demonstrate to our LBTQIA and BIPOC residents and visitors that we stand with them and will address instances of hate swiftly and with respect," said Mayor Victoria Woodards.

The initiative, pioneered by the Seattle Police Department, encourages local businesses, schools and community organizations to:

• Call 911 immediately, if a victim of any crime (especially a hate crime) enters their premises

• Allow the victim to remain on their premises until police arrival

• Call back 911 and provide a physical description of the victim and/or suspect(s), direction of travel and any injuries observed if the victim leaves prior to police arrival

"Inclusivity rooted in love is the only way to drive out hate," Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore affirmed.

The Safe Place Initiative is designed to address all hate crimes, including those crimes committed because of someone’s:

• Race

• Color

• Religion

• Ancestry

• National origin

• Gender

• Sexual orientation

• Gender expression or identity

• Mental, physical, or sensory disabilities

• Homelessness

• Marital status

• Political ideology

• Age

• Parental status

For more information about the Safe Place Initiative in Tacoma, visit cityoftacoma.org/safeplace. To learn more about the efforts the Tacoma Police Department is implementing to make Tacoma safer for all, visit cityoftacoma.org/police.

Original source can be found here.