Vandalism at Long Island LGBT center probed as hate crime

Thousands of dollars in damage to the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth Center in Bay Shore was a message to the LGBT community that hate remains a "terrible reality," the facility's director said Tuesday. The front door of the Center was smashed, all the windows of its 2003 Ford van were shattered, the mirrors ripped off and the tires slashed. "This was not a simple case of vandalism, but an attack on our entire community," said David Kilmnick, the Center's CEO. "We are thankful that this act happened while The Center was closed and therefore no one was physically injured, but this was a clear attempt to instill fear in GLBT people throughout Long Island." There was no sign that the building had been entered and nothing appeared to be stolen. The Suffolk County Police Department hate crimes unit has begun an investigation. If the culprits are caught the District Attorney would have to determine where to file a hate crime charge in addition to vandalism charges. A hate crime conviction would result in a longer sentence. "This type of attack against the gay community will not be tolerated in Suffolk County," County Executive Steve Levy said in a statement. "Our police department will seek to apprehend any wrongdoer and help ensure that there is swift justice to deter any such activity in the future." Workers on Tuesday began repairing the Center's front door, but the facility has sent out an urgent appeal to supporters for money to repair the van, which transports more than 50 youth a week to the Center for support and leadership programs. Kilmnick said the attack will not deter the Center from its purpose. "I want all Long Islanders to know that we will not stand by and allow anyone to terrorize our community," he said. "We will use this heinous act to raise awareness of the discrimination and hatred that GLBT people are all to often a target of. The glass will be cleaned and the van will be back on the road soon, but ultimately it is my hope that we can make this a turning point for GLBT people."