HATE CRIMES RISING IN PHOENIX

By: Kara Harris

According to the annual FBI report, hate crimes were shown to have increased by 17 percent in

2017. Phoenix ranked number three in cities with the highest number of reported hate crimes.

Prior to release of this report, swastika stickers were reported to be spotted popping up on light

poles in a north Phoenix neighborhood. On the corner of Grovers Avenue and Ninth Street, people started

to notice the signs of hate.

“I'm not sure why, you know, anti-Semitism is on the rise and hatred of minorities is on the rise.

It's not just Jewish people," said Rabbi Micah Caplan of the Congregation Or Tzion.

The Phoenix Police Department annual biased crimes statistics reported over 230 bias related

crimes. Out of those reported, 27, were anti-jewish.

“One possibility of why you see heightened numbers in Phoenix is because it is the largest

metropolitan area within Arizona,” said Carlos Galindo-Elvira, Regional Director of the Arizona Anti-

Defamation League.

Galindo-Elvira, believes hate crimes affect everyone and credits Phoenix Police Department’s

biased crimes unit for their work in investigating hate crimes.

“Those strengthened relationships is why, are likely resulting in more calls,” said Sgt. Vince

Lewis, a Phoenix Police Department spokesman.

The Phoenix Police Department has 12 advisory boards assigned to serve minority communities.

Theses boards serve as a bridge to connect with minority groups in efforts to improve their lines of

communication with law enforcement.

“We have to move from a world of tolerance to a place of acceptance and I think if we do so in

this town, we will be okay," said Rabbi Caplan.

Anyone that suspects biased crime related activity is asked to report it to the police.