Reported hate crimes have surged by 41% so far this year

The increase in reported hate crimes comes even as the NYPD touts reductions in some index crimes — including rape, felony assault, burglary and grand larceny — compared to the same time period as last year. Eagle file photo by Jonathan Sperling.

By Jonathan Sperling

Reported hate crimes based on race, religion, gender and sexuality have sharply increased in New York City in the first eight months of the year, new NYPD data reveals.

A total of 290 hate crimes were reported across the city as of Sept. 1, 2019, up from 205 reported hate crimes as of the same time last year. That’s a more-than 41 percent increase.

Reported hate crimes targeting black people, people with disabilities, Hispanic people, white people, Jewish people and certain ethnicities, genders and sexual orientations all increased compared to this time last year.

Hate crimes targeting Hispanic people increased by the highest percentage, from two last year to five this year, a 150 percent increase. Anti-Semitic hate crimes make up the most reports by far, with 152 reports this year, up 63 percent from 93 reports last year. In recent days, anti-Semitic vandals have defaced a beach club in Breezy Point and scrawled white supremacist messages into the sand at Belle Harbor.

Only reported hate crimes against Asian people and Muslim people decreased, according to the NYPD data.

The increase in reported hate crimes comes even as the NYPD touts reductions in some index crimes — including rape, felony assault, burglary and grand larceny — compared to the same time period as last year. NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill said the reductions are “due to the dedication, professionalism and hard work of the members of the NYPD in partnership with the communities they serve.”

Yet, in addition to hate crimes, reports of robbery, murder and shooting incidents have also risen.