In announcing the arrests of four people on charges of vandalism at a Bay Shore gay and lesbian youth center, police said yesterday it was an act of revenge and not a hate crime.

“We were calling it a hate crime investigation because of public perception,” said Det. Sgt. Robert Reecks, commanding officer of the Suffolk police hate crimes unit, which pursued the case because of the center’s mission. See Cops arrest 4 in gay youth center vandalism
Newsday, NY 

In announcing the arrests of four people on charges of vandalism at a Bay Shore gay and lesbian youth center, police said yesterday it was an act of revenge and not a hate crime.

“We were calling it a hate crime investigation because of public perception,” said Det. Sgt. Robert Reecks, commanding officer of the Suffolk police hate crimes unit, which pursued the case because of the center’s mission. See Cops arrest 4 in gay youth center vandalism
Newsday, NY 

Gov. David A. Paterson has condemned the vandalism at a Bay Shore gay and lesbian center and said the state human rights commissioner would hold a public forum at the center this week.

In a statement Tuesday, Paterson called the vandalism “despicable.” State human rights commissioner Galen Kirkland will hold the forum at the center tomorrow at 3 p.m. 

It’s his second visit to Suffolk in three months. He held community discussions after Ecuadorean immigrant Marcelo Lucero was stabbed to death in Patch- ogue in November. Investigators say he was targeted by teens hunting for Hispanics to harass.

Donors have replaced the smashed windows and slashed tires on the van used by theLong Island Gay and Lesbian Youth Center in Bay Shore, which was attacked by vandals on Monday.  See Paterson condemns vandalism at Bay Shore gay center
Newsday, NY