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Fighting Hate Crimes

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Fighting Hate Crimes How Communities Can Help A comprehensive response to hate crimes Resources FIGHTING involves the engagement of local gov- ernment, law enforcement, prosecutors, Maryland OAG schools, religious institutions, residents, Hate Crimes Hotline HATE and civil rights and community-based 1-866-481-8361 organizations. Maryland Commission on CRIMES Strategies stakeholders can implement to Civil Rights combat hate crime activity: 1-800-637-6247 A Resource Guide • Publicly condemn suspected hate crime activity Maryland State Police 1-800-525-5555 • Establish a network of community stakeholders to ensure prompt re- For additional resources and sponses to and support of victims of information, see OAG’s Strategies hate crimes for Responding to Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents, available • Encourage victims and witnesses of online at www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/ hate crimes to report to law CivilRights Documents/hate_crimes.pdf Maryland Office of the enforcement Attorney General • Employ restorative justice practices Civil Rights Division where appropriate • Promote activities that embrace diverse Maryland Office of The populations and unite communities Attorney General • Advocate for laws and policies that 200 St. Paul Place enhance the State’s response to hate Baltimore, MD 21202 crimes 410-576-6300 www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov Hate Crime v. Protecting Religious Reporting Hate/Bias Incident Worship Matters A hate crime is a crime, including a threat to A person may not damage or threaten to damage If you witness or are a victim of a hate crime commit a crime, committed because of an- property used for a religious purpose or obstruct or bias incident, call 911 immediately. Hate other person’s or group’s perceived personal others from exercising their religious beliefs by crimes that aren’t reported can’t be investi- characteristic or group membership. force or threat of force. gated or prosecuted. Prompt reporting to law enforcement helps preserve evidence You may be a victim of a hate crime under Protecting Property and assists officers in preventing additional Maryland law if you are targeted because of crimes. It also helps inform public officials your race, color, religious beliefs, sexual ori- A person may not damage, burn, or destroy– and community members where resources entation, gender, gender identity, disability, or attempt or threaten to damage, burn, or de- should be directed. national origin, or homelessness. stroy–the real or personal property of a person or group because of that person’s or group’s Victims and witnesses of hate bias activity A hate/bias incident is any act or expression perceived characteristic or membership in a pro- may also wish to seek support from local re- of hostility or aggression that is motivated tected class. The protection includes the real or ligious institutions and civil rights and com- by bias against a protected class but does not personal property connected to a building that is munity-based organizations, which can offer constitute a crime under State or federal law. publicly or privately owned, such as a cemetery, a variety of services, including advocacy, library, meeting hall, recreation center, or school. safety planning, and counseling. Examples: • Verbal abuse/slurs A threat against any person based on hate is a threat to For information regarding trends in hate • Distribution of hate literature in all of us. The Office of Attorney General is committed crime activity in Maryland, see the annual public spaces to ensuring all Marylanders live without fear of being Hate/Bias Reports issued by the Maryland • Displaying hate material on one’s targeted because of their race, gender, national origin, State Police and the Maryland Coordination own property religion, or sexual orientation. Together with our partners and Analysis Center, available online at in law enforcement, we will continue to enforce our laws www.mcac.maryland.gov/resources/. to ensure those who commit crimes based on hate are held accountable. - Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh.
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