We Must Stand Together and Report Hate Crimes
Printed 7-25-24
by FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Siddhartha “Sid” Patel
The FBI’s mission is clear. We protect the American people and uphold the Constitution. We are sworn to protect all who are here—regardless of immigration status–and every American traveling abroad. We take pride in diversity in our ranks in all its forms.
As the special agent in charge of the FBI Sacramento Field Office, I am deeply concerned about the continued rise in hate crimes across our state and the nation as detailed in FBI’s Crime Data Explorer. What is more unsettling to me is that we know that not all victims and witnesses report hate crimes to law enforcement. We must work together to stop hate crimes and foster trust in law enforcement within vulnerable communities.
Crime statistics do not capture the real, human impact when hate crimes occur. These crimes strike fear in the hearts of an entire community, not just the individual. It’s the intended effect.We simply cannot let hate win. We must stand together to report hate crimes and identify perpetrators of such heinous acts to protect everyone. Unreported hate crimes further enable those responsible for these vile crimes to avoid justice, embolden perpetrators, and leave community members vulnerable to similar crimes.
Hateful acts are terrible events but what constitutes a possible federal hate crime? The United States Department of Justice defines a federal hate crime as a criminal offense against a person or property such as vandalism, arson, assault, or murder, motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.
Is hate speech criminal? From a federal perspective, hate speech—while undoubtedly offensive and disgusting — is not a crime on its own. The Constitution defends free speech, including hateful speech, unless such statements are a threat and are intended to deprive you of your rights.
How do we stop hate crime? Standing together against hate is powerful but the simple act of reporting hate crime is an important step to protect the entire community. While the FBI may initiate an investigation from news reports, tips, or information from partner agencies, we often need to collect details only a victim or witness can provide.
Our office stands by victims who bravely report their experiences. All victims are treated with care, respected, and supported throughout an investigation. We conduct a thorough investigation, often working with local law enforcement to review all available facts. We encourage witnesses to share what they heard and saw to fill gaps a victim may have in recollection to offer a complete picture of what occurred. Most importantly, we ensure victims are heard and have access to the resources they need to begin healing.
What can you do to stop hate crime? Always support each other and your community; do not let a criminal silence your voice or the voices of others. Always be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activities to law enforcement. As with any other offense, individuals who are planning and commit hate crimes are emboldened by silence. Always call 911 immediately if you or someone else is in immediate danger and report threats and hate crimes to your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or submit a tip to https://tips.fbi.gov.
This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to the CA vs Hate web site.
