ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The City of Orangeburg is moving forward with its own hate crime ordinance just one day after Orangeburg County approved a similar measure.

City Council held its first reading of the proposed ordinance Tuesday evening. If approved, it would apply within city limits, while the county ordinance only covers unincorporated areas.

City Attorney Michael E. Kozlarek explained how the measure would work.

“Any offense that is intended to cause fear of harm or injury because of someone’s race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or other protected status would be the hate intimidation. So that would be the additional crime,” Kozlarek said.

If passed, the ordinance would allow a judge to sentence someone to up to a $500 fine, 30 days in jail, or both. The proposal still requires addi

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