Hate Crimes: Are Hate Crimes Increasing in America

Marcos Garcia

Salt Lake Community College

CJ 1010

Brett Terpstra

April 29, 2021

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 Abstract 

This paper dives into the accuracy of hate crime data. By analyzing a concepts and issues

paper published by the IACP (International association of chiefs of Police) Law Enforcement

Policy Center we find many inaccuracies stemming from hate crimes and most importantly how

they are reported and handled. This paper serves to support and offer more incites to this

problematic burden placed on the American people.

Introduction

When approaching the topic of hate crimes in America there are many factors to account

for so justice can be served. Unfortunately, the current system in place has many flaws. This

assignment will take a critical look into some of those flaws. The flaws being discussed are how

hate crimes are defined, how hate crime has increased the las decade, hate how the lack of data

and reporting exacerbates the issues, and the ongoing problems with immigration and how

language barriers affect the data.

How is Hate Crime Defined?

The biggest reason that hates crime goes unreported is because of the way it is defined.

For words definitions become relative to your background and way of thinking (I.e. Words mean

different things to different people) the same is true twitch hate crimes. What one person would

consider a hate crime another could consider a normal crime. This issue arises with it comes time

to report a crime. If a white man steals from a black man is it a hate crime? Well, was the black

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man targeted because of his race? Maybe he was targeted because of his social status? Both

could be considered a hate crime depending on who you talk to. Reporting reform starts with a

solid definition of what a hate crime is and in-depth situational training. Otherwise, law

enforcement will continue to have this problem. 

Increasing of the crime in the U.S.

Hate crimes in the United States is very close to the highest level in more than a decade,

federal officers also recorded that highest number of hate motivated murders since the FBI

started to collecting data in the early 90s, according to an FBI report. There were 51 hate crime

murders in 2019, which includes 22 people who were murder in a shooting that targeted

Mexicans at Walmart in El Pao, Texas, the report reads. The suspect in the shooting that was

taken in August 2019, which left two dozen of people injured, was charged with state and federal

crimes in what authorities said an attempt to scare Hispanics and incite to leave the United

States.

There were, 7,314 hate crimes in 2019, up from 7,120 in 2018 and approaching the 7,783

of 2008. The FBI ‘s annual report defines hate crimes as those that are motivated by a bias based

on a person’s race, religion or sexual orientation.

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 Incidents reported to the FBI since 2000
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2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Column1

It is possible that some of the increasing in 2019 may be the result of an improvement in

reporting by the police departments, but law enforcement officials and advocacy groups do not

have any doubt that hate crimes rising. The Justice Department has for years been specifically

prioritizing hate crime prosecutions. The data shows an increase of 7% in religion-based hate

crimes, with 953 reports of crimes targeting to Jews and Jewish institutions in 2019, up from 835

in the 2018. The FBI said the number of hate crimes against African Americans dropped slightly

to 1,930, from 1,943. Anti-Hispanic hate crimes, furthermore, rose to 527 in 2019, from 485 in

2018. And the total number of hate crimes based on a person’s sexual orientation stayed

relatively stable, with one fewer crime reported in 2019, compared with 2018, though there were

20 more hate crimes against gay men reported.

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 Lack of Data

Another issue that prevents us from making major strides in preventing hate crime is a

lack of relevant data.  According to the IACP “Participation in the FBI’s national reporting

program, which—like the rest of the UCR Program—is voluntary”. Most agencies do not have

requirements when it comes to reporting hate crime data to the proper sources. When a solid data

report requirement becomes mandatory for law enforcement data can be more critically analyzed

and proper solutions can be practiced. 

Immigration and Language Barriers

Immigrants make up a major percentage of the population of the United States. These

immigrants work, live, and encounter controversy just like normal citizens. Many of these

immigrants take a few years to learn the primary language (English). The problem arises when

they cannot communicate with the proper authorities when they encounter personal hate crime.

There for many hate crimes against immigrants go unreported. Having a more diverse police

force may help the issue.

Conclusion

There are many problems with hate crime data. Many of these problems stem from our

data and the lack of knowledge on the subject. Having solid training for law enforcement is an

important first step. Having a solid way to define hate crimes, mandatory reporting actions put in

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place and fixing the language barriers are important first steps to fixing these issues that plague

our society.

References: 

International Association of Chiefs of Police. 2016. Investigation of Hate Crimes: Concepts

Balsamo, Michael. “Hate Crimes in US Reach Highest Level in More than a Decade.” AP
NEWS, Associated Press, 16 Nov. 2020, apnews.com/article/hate-crimes-rise-fbi-data-
ebbcadca8458aba96575da905650120d.