SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) -- Spartanburg City Council voted to implement a hate crime ordinance Monday night.

VIDEO ABOVE: Group calls on City of Spartanburg to implement a hate crime ordinance

The council voted 5-0 in favor of the ordinance.

Back in August, the Spartanburg Initiative for Racial Equity, known as SIREN, has called on the city council to consider adopting a hate crime ordinance to enhance local protections against hate crimes. Despite existing federal laws, SIREN argues that additional local measures are necessary to ensure safety and inclusivity within the city.

SIREN has drafted a hate crime ordinance for the city, which includes penalties for crimes committed with a hate component.

According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Spartanburg Police Department reported fi

See Full Page