The Bilerico Project | Daily experiments in LGBTQ

The Dolphin Democrats, Florida's largest and oldest LGBT) Democratic Club, in conjunction with the Broward County Sheriff's Office, Gay & Lesbian Community Center, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Anti-Defamation League, Equality Florida and Log Cabin Republicans, is hosting a "Policing Hate Crimes Town Hall" on Wednesday, July 8th at 7:30pm.

The Town Hall, which will feature Broward County Sherriff Al Lamberti and Florida State Representative Ari Porth, will discuss a wide variety of topics relating to hate crime- like how hate crimes are defined by law, recent incidents, and hate groups operating in the state- as well as feature victim's perspectives and personal stories.

The Town Hall will also talk about Sheriff Lamberti's Hate Crimes Task Force initiative led by Commander Richard Wierzbicki, as well look at statewide and national legislation that will benefit all Floridians. The Office of Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz will provide an update on the federal hate crimes legislation.

There will also be an Open Forum for the community to ask questions, raise concerns, and get involved.

According to FBI statistics, the greatest growth in hate crimes in recent years is against Asian Americans and the gay and lesbian community. Law enforcement officials acknowledge that hate crimes -- similar to rape and family violence crimes -- go under-reported, with many victims reluctant to go to the police, and some police agencies not fully trained in recognizing or investigating hate crimes.

Broward County has the highest recorded rate of hate crimes in the state of Florida.