- Reports of bias incidents in New Jersey jumped 22% last year, according to data released by Attorney General Matt Platkin’s office.
- In 2023, reports to law enforcement increased from 2,221 the previous year to 2,699, and in 2022 and 2021, there was a 17% year-over-year increase.
- According to Attorney General Matt Platkin, 217 people were charged with bias intimidation in the state from 2021 to 2023.
Reports of bias incidents, including anti-Semitism and anti-Black behavior, increased 22% in New Jersey last year, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the attorney general.
Attorney General Matt Platkin’s office released unofficial data for 2023 in which the number of reports to law enforcement increased from 2,221 the previous year to 2,699, which combined with 2022 showed a 17% increase from the previous year. We also announced our analysis for 2021.
The number of incidents recorded in 2022 was the highest in the state since record-keeping began nearly 30 years ago.
Gov. Phil Murphy says he feels ‘very sick’ about controversial New Jersey boys basketball game
“We’re seeing a real rise in bigotry and hatred in our state, and we don’t take that lightly, and we’re using every tool available to us to prevent it,” Platkin said in a phone interview. ” he said.
New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin speaks during a press conference at his office in Trenton, New Jersey, December 12, 2023. Reports of bias incidents in New Jersey increased by 22% last year, according to data released Thursday by the public. Of course. (AP Photo/Mike Catalini, File)
The data reflects reports filed by members of the public alleging hate crimes and incidents of bias against classes protected under the law, such as race, religion, or gender, to law enforcement agencies across the state, including state police. There is. Incidents include racist graffiti, threats, or actual physical harm.
Platkin said this increase is due to a number of factors. Among them is expanding community outreach to encourage such reporting, he said. But the increase reflects a trend in other states and across the country in which hate crime reports are particularly high. For example, the FBI reported last year that hate crimes increased by nearly 12% in 2021. He also cited political divisions, the spread of misinformation on social media and the backlash to demonstrations after the 2020 killing of George Floyd.
New Jersey recently obtained statistics show that the most common reasons for reporting anti-Black and anti-Jewish bias are race- and religion-based, reflecting trends from previous years. According to the Attorney General’s Office, anti-Black incidents accounted for 34% of all bias motives, and anti-Jewish bias accounted for 22%.
Anti-Muslim and anti-Arab prejudice also increased last year, according to the data. Reports of anti-Muslim incidents increased from 61 to 107, and anti-Arab incidents reached 78 last year, up from 46 in 2022. Platkin cited the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel as a likely factor in these reports.
Sen. Bob Menendez won’t seek re-election in November after obstruction of justice charge: Report
Platkin also said Thursday that his office launched an online data dashboard aimed at providing the public with information on bias incident statistics across the state.
Platkin said 217 people were charged with bias intimidation in the state from 2021 to 2023.
“Even though we can’t accuse anyone of a crime or hold anyone personally responsible, we’re seeing some worrying trends and devoting resources to preventing bias incidents from happening in the first place if possible.” “We can do that,” he said.
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey called the trend “alarming” and praised the attorney general for creating the online portal.
“You can’t address a problem if you don’t understand the extent of the problem,” said Jim Sullivan, deputy policy director for the state chapter of the ACLU.
He also called on lawmakers to devise policies to help targeted communities.
