DALLAS—FBI Dallas Division is joining FBI Headquarters’ nationwide initiative to build public awareness of hate crimes and to encourage reporting to law enforcement. Throughout the entire Dallas Division territory, from Lubbock to Lufkin, advertising will appear at Dallas Love Field, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, area gas stations, digital billboards, on AM and FM radio, and mobile/digital/web mediums.

Hate crimes are the highest priority of the FBI’s civil rights program because of the devastating impact they have on families and communities. The FBI defines a hate crime as a criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.

“One of the FBI’s top priorities is to defend the civil rights of the communities we serve. We actively work with our law enforcement partners to investigate hate crimes and achieve justice for victims impacted by violence,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno. “The FBI wants to reassure the public that we will pursue individuals who commit violent, hateful acts against any member of our community.”

The FBI is the lead investigative agency for criminal violations of federal civil rights statutes and works closely with local, state, tribal, and other federal law enforcement partners in many of these cases, even when federal charges are not pursued. The FBI also works proactively to detect and prevent incidents through law enforcement training, public outreach, and partnerships with community groups.

Victims and witnesses of any hate-related incident are encouraged to report the information to law enforcement. After a report is made, it is assessed by the FBI and then dedicated resources and specialized expertise are engaged to determine the best course of action for investigation and adjudication.

The FBI protects all victims of crimes, regardless of their country of national origin or immigration status. If you believe you are victim or a witness of a hate crime, you are encouraged to report it to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting an online tip at tips.fbi.gov. You may remain anonymous.