Steven Attanasso, a 68-year-old man who made headlines around the Ebbets Field apartments in Brooklyn, is known as the “nightmare neighbor” who threatened his fellow Black neighbors with speech and weapons. However, it didn’t start here, back in April he was recorded saying inappropriate racial remarks about his Black neighbors, and three days later he became a suspect in an arson that ended a Black man’s life. He was not charged with anything because of the lack of evidence and no witnesses. The neighbors have reached out to authorities for over a year but nothing was ever done. Then on September 9, he was arrested with a felony hate crime charge and on September 11 his bail was set at $50,000 which the judge agreed on.
It’s shocking to know how hate crimes aren’t being taken as seriously then they should. Hate crimes can have negative impacts on a person’s life and even family. Experiencing a hate crime so small can lead to something bigger so it’s important to have it brought to attention. Authorities should find ways to resolve the issue because they can’t prosecute someone if the law is not broken. So must hate crimes become violent in order to get their attention?