NCJ Number
165543
Date Published
1996
Length
17 pages
Annotation
A community forum held in Columbia, S.C. in July 1996 examined arson against black churches in South Carolina; discussed perceptions of race relations; and assessed the investigative procedures of Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials.
Abstract
Ten African American churches experienced arson in South Carolina between May 1995 and June 1996. The arsons occurred in a climate of increased racial tensions documents by the South Carolina Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights in 1992. South Carolina has both a recently established State Commission on Race Relations and a long-established Human Affairs Commission. South Carolina law recognizes interference with religious worship but does not provide penalty enhancement for hate crimes. Topics discussed at the forum included the efforts of the United States attorneys, the investigative procedures, coordination and cooperation among law enforcement personnel at different levels of government, and support for the rebuilding of the churches. Other topics included State initiatives related to the fires, efforts to improve communication between law enforcement officials and the clergy, insurance coverage of the churches, the characteristics of perpetrators, and efforts to improve race relations. Footnotes