Hate Crimes

Every resident has the right to live free from discrimination and hate. Some hateful acts are crimes. Other incidents, though reprehensible, are not.  

In Maryland, any of the following constitutes a hate crime:

  1. A crime, or threat to commit a crime, motivated by another person or group’s perceived personal characteristic or group membership, including race, color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, national origin, or homelessness.
    1. Examples include: threatening to attack a place of worship; assaulting or injuring someone because of their perceived identity.
  2. Damaging or destroying, attempting to damage or destroy, and threatening to damage or destroy religious property.
  3. Obstructing others from exercising their religious beliefs by force or threat of force.
  4. Damaging, burning, destroying – or attempting or threatening to damage, burn or destroy – the real or personal property of a person or group because of that person’s or group’s perceived characteristic or membership. This includes real or personal property connected to a building that is publicly or privately owned, such as a cemetery, library, meeting hall, recreation center, or school.

A hate bias incident is any act or expression of hostility or aggression that is motivated by bias against a protected class but does not constitute a crime under local, State, or federal law. 

Examples of Hate Bias Incidents

  • Verbal abuse/slurs (example name calling)
  • Degrading language
  • Distributing hate literature in public spaces
     

Contact your local police department immediately.  Unreported occurrences cannot be investigated or prosecuted. You may call 9-1-1 or your police department’s non-emergency number to report a hate bias incident.

Anne Arundel County Police Department
Non-emergency: Dial – (410) 222-8610

Annapolis Police Department
Non-emergency: Dial – (410) 268-4141

Anne Arundel Community College Police Department
Non-emergency: Dial – (410) 777-1818

Crofton Police Department
Non-emergency: Dial – (410) 222-8610

Anne Arundel County Human Relations Commission
Email: hrc@aacounty.org
Website: aacounty.org/human-relations-commission 
The Commission works to promote the fair and equal treatment of all Anne Arundel County residents. The Commission can provide community-based support to mediate intergroup conflicts and bring awareness to local matters. NOTE: Reporting to the Commission is not a substitute for contacting the police.  

Annapolis Human Relations Commission
Email: HRCommission@annapolis.gov 
Phone: 410-263-7998
Website: https://www.annapolis.gov/1386/Human-Relations-Commission 
The Commission is a city board that seeks to ensure equal opportunity in Annapolis. The Commission can provide community-based support to mediate intergroup conflicts and bring awareness to local matters. NOTE: Reporting to the Commission is not a substitute for contacting the police.  

You may also contact a local religious institution or community-based organization, which can offer support and services. The important thing is to get help and support. Don’t go through this on your own!