TRENTON, NJ — Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced that, according to preliminary data, 944 bias incidents were reported to New Jersey law enforcement in 2019, a 65-percent increase from 2018. The figure — which is likely to change somewhat as law enforcement reconciles end-of-year reports — represents the highest annual total of bias incidents reported since 1996, and the largest year-over-year increase since bias crimes reporting standards were enacted in 1991.
“These preliminary numbers reinforce what we’ve suspected all year, and what too many New Jersey residents know all too well,” Grewal said in a Jan. 13 press release. “More and more people are alerting law enforcement about acts of hatred and intolerance that target victims based solely on what they look like, how they worship or who they love. Now more than ever we need to come together as a community to confront this rising tide of hate.”
The preliminary figure of 944 bias incidents in 2019 was compiled as part of the New Jersey Uniform Crime Reporting System, which is operated by the New Jersey State Police to track crime rates in the state. By law, every state, county and local law enforcement agency must submit information to the UCR System on any bias incident reported to them.
The AG’s Office and State Police intend to release the final confirmed UCR data on 2019 reported bias incidents later this spring. The final report will include more detailed data on bias incidents, including data broken down by county, type of incident and age of offender.
Among the 944 incidents included in the preliminary 2019 data was the Dec. 10, 2019, shooting at the JC Kosher Supermarket in Jersey City.
“The terrible attack in Jersey City was by far the most violent bias incident in New Jersey last year, but it was hardly the only one,” Grewal said. “We are committed to doing everything in our power to solve this problem. In addition to maintaining vigilance against such attacks, we in law enforcement are joining with community members and youth leaders across the state to counter the corrosive messages of hate that motivate such acts, and to replace them with messages of tolerance, understanding and unity.”
“The 65-percent increase in reported bias incidents is a sobering reminder of the alarming rate that hateful acts are being perpetrated against the citizens of our state,” NJSP Col. Patrick Callahan said. “Even though officer training and incident tracking have aided police departments in their response to these incidents, it is imperative that our residents remain vigilant in reporting bias crime without delay.”
In mid-February, Grewal intends to announce the findings of the Interagency Task Force to Combat Youth Bias. The task force, which is chaired by the Division on Civil Rights, was created by executive order in August 2019. The task force, which has been conducting listening sessions across the state, will issue a report with advice and recommendations to Gov. Phil Murphy and Grewal on strategies and actions to reduce incidents of hate, bias and intolerance involving students and young adults.
“The data confirms that incidents motivated by bias, prejudice and hate are rising,” said Rachel Wainer Apter, director of the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights. “We encourage anyone who has been subjected to bias-based harassment or discrimination at work, in housing, or in a place of public accommodation to file a complaint with DCR, where remedies can include equitable relief and compensatory damages. And we are working closely with the entire task force to finalize a list of comprehensive recommendations on how to prevent and combat bias, prejudice and hate among children and young adults. If anyone was not able to join one of our listening sessions but has ideas or recommendations for how to prevent or combat bias, we encourage them to please submit written comments to the task force.”
To submit a written comment to the Task Force, email forums@njcivilrights.gov or visit https://www.nj.gov/oag/dcr/comments_YBa.html.
To report a bias crime, visit http://nj.gov/oag/bias or call 800-277-2427.
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