Hate Crimes seriously threaten our democratic society, which is built upon the strength of
its diversity. Thousands of Americans each year are victimized because of their skin
color, ethnicity, religion, gender, disabilities or sexual orientation. Crimes motivated
by hatred and the fear it engenders cripples our society, threatens personal freedom and
frays the ties that are essential to safe and healthy communities.
The Houston Police
Department's Hate Crime program was enhanced in April 1998 by Mayor Lee P. Brown and Chief
of Police C.O. Bradford with the appointment of a Hate Crime Coordinator (currently
Criminal Intelligence Division Lieutenant M.C. Jones) and the announcement of the Houston
Police Department's Hate Crime Hotline (713-308-8737). Mayor Brown and Chief Bradford
further delegated oversight of the department's Hate Crime initiative to the Criminal
Intelligence Division.
Defining hate crimes
The most comprehensive definition of a hate crime to date is currently used by the
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP.) They define a Hate Crime as a
criminal offense committed against a person, property, or society which is motivated, in
whole or in part, by the offender's bias against an individual's or a group's race,
religion, ethnic/national origin, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
Impact of hate crimes Hate Crimes victimize not only the individuals or institutions who are targeted,
but also the entire community or group they represent. Violent Hate Crimes may lead to
cycles of retaliation and vigilantism that can engulf communities and perpetuate hatred
and prejudice.
Houston Police Department's hate crime policy
The Houston Police Department views all Hate Crimes as major, and possibly organized, acts
which are given the highest investigative priority possible to ensure rapid apprehension
of all persons involved.
The Criminal Intelligence
Division was designated as the department's federally mandated "Second Level
Judgement Unit" in 1991. The Criminal Intelligence Division has the ultimate
responsibility for determining whether a crime is reported to federal or state
record-keeping agencies as a Hate Crime. Additional areas of responsibility include:
Education of both the public
and police officers on the requirements of a Hate Crime
Prevention techniques
Reporting procedures
Organized Hate Crime groups,
and
Development of strategic
initiatives in dealing with Hate Crime related issues
What is hate crime?
A Hate Crime is a criminal act in which individuals or groups are targeted because of
their race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic/national origin, or disability.
Facts about hate crime
Did you know:
60% of offenders commit
crimes for the "thrill" connected with control over their victims
Hate Crimes are 5 times as
likely to involve assault
Hate Crimes are
traditionally underreported
Over 20 states and the
District of Columbia have enacted Hate Crime legislation
How can you fight hate crime
Hate Crimes can create destructive feelings in various communities, especially among
groups sensitive to this issue. But, there are ways to fight back. You can fight Hate
Crimes by:
Immediately
reporting any crime you witness or experience to the police. Be sure to write
down as many details as possible. This includes telephone calls which can occur during
holiday observances
Educating your family and
friends about Hate Crime
Communities must be serious
about "creating a generation of peacemakers" ... which means learning and
practicing the qualities of understanding and respecting differences
