Hate crimes nearly tripled in New York City in February, Jewish hate crimes soar

Adam Devine

NEW YORK, NY – As COVID-19 restrictions across New York City are being lifted, the number of hate crimes reported are also increasing, nearly three times the number of incidents reported last year.

In the month of February of 2021, there were 37 total hate crimes reported. This February, there were 107, a 187% increase, according to crime statistics released by the New York City Police Department.

The data released by the NYPD shows hate crimes against Jewish New Yorkers rose 409% from 11 reported in 2021 to 56 incidents reported this February.

Crimes against Asians and blacks rose 125% and 100% respectively.


Sexually oriented hate crimes also rose from 6 to 9, a 50% increase.


This week, a rally against anti-Asian violence was held in Times Square, attended by a crowd of about 300 calling for the city to do more to protect Asian women from the rising rate of crime. New York City saw more anti-Asian hate crimes than any other city in America in 2021, according to the New York Post.

Antisemitism and hate crimes against New York City’s large Jewish population are also on the rise. The New York City Police Department’s Hate Crime Task Force is currently investigating a rise of incidents involving anti-Jewish graffiti in Brooklyn where a large population of Orthodox Jewish families resides.

“We are appalled by these acts of hate and urge anyone with information about the incidents or the individual to come forward,” said Scott Richman, Anti Defamation League of New York/New Jersey Regional Director. “Incidents like these have a profound impact not just on individuals who are targeted, but on the community at large. In issuing this reward, we are sending the message that hateful vandalism should not be normalized or tolerated in our city or anywhere else.”

Two weeks ago, Jewish men were assaulted by an assailant in Brooklyn.

According to the NYPD, the first incident occurred on Harrison Avenue near Walton Street and Wallabout Street on February 24. The person reportedly made antisemitic statements to an identifiably Jewish man and pushed him against the wall. The same individual is believed to have hit a Jewish man with his shoulder while walking near Broadway and Penn Street on the same day.  

“We have seen an outrageous rise of attacks on visibly identifiable Jews in recent weeks,” Richman added.

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