Hate Crimes/Hate Incident Issues

Programs that provide information and/or services that deal with the topic of hate crimes and non-criminal hate incidents that are directed at any individual, residence, house of worship, institution or business expressly because of the victim's real or perceived race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. Non-criminal hate incidents include hate speech, display of offensive materials on one's property, distribution of hate materials in public places, posting of hate materials that does not result in property damage and other acts which do not interfere with the civil rights of others. Hate incidents also include conduct directed against an individual or group because of their association or advocacy on behalf of a member or members of a protected class. Hate activities that have escalated into threats and criminal activity against a person or property are classified as hate crimes.