After criticism, NYPD switches hate crime reporting again

The NYPD updates its public reporting on hate crimes, after a change last month drew concern.

The NYPD releases monthly crime statistics, including hate crimes, which are seen as a barometer of how prevalent bias incidents are in the city.

Last month, the NYPD said it would change from reporting hate incidents that had been reported to police to incidents that had been confirmed as hate crimes.

The change meant that the police would report fewer hate crimes. The NYPD said the switch would be more accurate, but critics said it could have falsely given the appearance that the crimes had decreased.

The police now say they will release two sets of numbers each month — both hate crime complaints that are flagged for investigation, and bias incidents that have been confirmed by the hate crimes task force.

“This will ensure that the public has an accurate and timely and more robust view than ever of hate crime activity in New York City,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch says, adding that she had decided to make last month’s change and “not in consultation with the mayor.”

Last month, there were 32 confirmed antisemitic hate crimes, making up 58% of the total 55 confirmed incidents in the city, and 42 reported, unconfirmed incidents. Jews make up about 10% of the city’s population.

So far this year, there have been 78 confirmed antisemitic hate crimes, or 55% of the total for all groups, about the same total compared to the same time period last year, under the previous mayor, Eric Adams.