Home New York Press Releases 2009 Hate Crime Statistics Decrease for the FBI’s New York Division in 2008
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Hate Crime Statistics Decrease for the FBI’s New York Division in 2008

FBI New York November 24, 2009

Statistics released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Division revealed that criminal incidents reported as a result of bias toward a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity/national origin, or disability dropped from 2007 to 2008.  The statistics incorporated in this release include data from the five boroughs of New York City and the following eight counties:  Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, and Dutchess.   

Hate Crime Statistics, 2007 and 2008 includes the following information for the New York Division:

  • A comparison of hate crime offenses from 2007 to 2008 revealed a decrease in overall incidents by 3.6 percent.
  • In both 2007 and 2008, statistics revealed that criminal incidents motivated by a religious bias were most prevalent (59 percent in 2007 and 54 percent in 2008).


Although the numbers display a decrease in bias-related criminal activity, it is important to remember that crime statistic data submission is voluntary and some incidents may not be incorporated.  With this in mind, FBI Assistant Director in Charge (ADIC) Joseph Demarest said: “In today’s increasingly complex world, collaboration between all members of our community is essential to the well-being of our society.  The combined efforts of our local and state law enforcement authorities directly contributed to this decrease in bias-related criminal activity and we are proud to partner with them to make progress in this critical area.  We take the issue of bias-related crime seriously and look forward to future progress so that all members of our community may feel free to live in a peaceful society.  Our outreach efforts are in place to help make people from these communities feel at ease calling us when they are a victim or a witness to a hate crime incident.”