Maplewood council votes to enhance ordinance related to hate crimes [Video]

MAPLEWOOD, Mo. – The Maplewood City Council approved an ordinance on Tuesday that would add the offense of stealing to the city’s current ordinance related to hate crimes.

The need to update the ordinance became apparent after a resident reported the theft of an Israeli flag, and more incidents followed.

A suspect was charged in one of those cases and Maplewood Police continue to search for a suspect in the most recent incident caught on a surveillance camera.

Barry Greenberg, Maplewood’s newly elected mayor, believes the new ordinance will send a message that hate crimes are not tolerated in Maplewood.

“This process was started by the council before the last incident occurred, but the idea is that we needed to strengthen our ordinance to address that issue,” he said.

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Greenberg was sworn in as mayor Tuesday after winning with write-in votes. Council members credited outgoing mayor Nikylan Knapper for …