HOUSTON, TX—At a news conference held at the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Houston Field Office, community partner,
ADL Southwest Regional Director Mark B. Toubin stood with FBI Houston
Acting Special Agent in Charge (A/SAC) Mark N. Webster, Assistant
Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Nitiana Mann, and Supervisory Special
Agent (SSA) Heather Armstrong to announce an FBI initiative that
encourages the public to report allegations of hate crime. As part of a
nationwide effort, the FBI is asking victims and witnesses to submit
tips to tips.fbi.gov or by calling the FBI toll-free at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Today is the 12th anniversary of the date that Congress finalized the
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, 2009.
President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr.
Hate Crimes Prevention Act, on Oct. 22, 2009, increasing the FBI’s
jurisdiction to investigate bias-motivated crimes. In the late 90s, the
Houston Field Office of the FBI conducted the investigation of the
murder of James Byrd, Jr., one of the most brutal hate crimes in Texas
history.
The FBI is the lead investigative agency for criminal violations of
federal civil rights statutes. The Bureau works closely with its local,
state, tribal, and federal law enforcement partners in many of these
cases, even when federal charges are not pursued. The FBI also works to
detect and prevent incidents through law enforcement training, public
outreach, and partnerships with community groups.
A/SAC Webster stated, “The FBI’s mission is to protect everyone in
our community regardless of actual or perceived race, color, religion,
national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or
disability. As defenders of the United States Constitution, in one of
the most diverse cities in this nation, FBI Houston is creating
awareness about the strength that comes from our differences while
ensuring that those who violate federal hate crime laws face federal
charges.”
“We promise if you pick up the phone and dial, we will answer the
call and that victims will be treated with compassion, dignity, and
respect,” said ASAC Mann. “The FBI needs witnesses and victims,
regardless of immigration status, to take action and contact law
enforcement because their reports are a critical piece of the puzzle
required to accurately identify and investigate hate crimes.” Reports
may be submitted anonymously.
When a federal hate crime has occurred, FBI victim specialists work
with FBI special agents to inform victims of their legal rights and
connect them to crucial resources to help them cope. SSA Heather
Armstrong stated, “Hate crimes strike at the heart of one’s
identity—they strike at a victim’s sense of self and belonging. FBI
Victim Specialists stand ready to provide assistance to identified
federal crime victims.” Treating victims with respect, compassion, and
dignity is a priority to FBI victim specialists. Providing personalized
assistance to victims helps the FBI build stronger cases.
There is wide speculation that many hate crimes go unreported to law
enforcement and from the FBI’s perspective, even one hate crime is one
too many. In August, the FBI released Hate Crime Statistics, 2020, the
Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program’s latest compilation about
bias-motivated incidents throughout the nation. Over 15,000 law
enforcement agencies submitted incident reports last year and there were
7,759 bias-motivated incidents reported nationwide. In Texas, the 2020
FBI hate crime statistics were based on data received from 1,073 of
1,158 law enforcement agencies in the state that year and there were 406
reported hate crimes.
ADL Southwest Regional Director Mark B. Toubin commented, “Even
though hate crimes are underreported, tracking them helps us understand
how they may be trending and affirms the need for strong hate crime
laws. ADL does professional development classes for law enforcement to
help them understand how to recognize and report hate crimes, and for
the community to help people recognize them and respond. We join the FBI
in encouraging individuals and law enforcement agencies to report hate
crimes.”
As part of the new campaign, members of the public may spot FBI ads
in social media feeds, monthly news publications, local newspapers, at
the Greyhound bus terminal, and at the William P. Hobby airport. The
national campaign also includes paid advertising with:
- Digital and static billboards (by Lamar and Pacific Outdoor) running throughout Texas
- Over 100 gas stations in Texas
- Radio ads on iHeartRadio, Audacy, and Pandora/SiriusXM
- TV ads (Univision/KUNP)
- Web ads
- Social media ads (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter)
More information on how the FBI is fighting hate crimes can be found at: fbi.gov/investigate/civil-rights/hate-crimes
The latest Hate Crime Statistics reports are available through the Uniform Crime Reporting Program at: fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr
