BOSTON, MA — The Healey-Driscoll Administration unveiled a comprehensive initiative to address hate crimes across Massachusetts. This effort includes the formation of the Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team (HART) by the Massachusetts State Police (MSP). HART’s goal is to foster collaboration between federal, state, and local entities, and engage with community leaders to improve the response to hate crimes and related incidents. Additionally, the administration allocated $461,920 in Hate Crime Prevention grants to enhance programs targeting bias reduction in educational settings.
HART’s responsibilities encompass enhancing data collection and sharing, promoting stakeholder collaboration, delivering advanced training for law enforcement, and ensuring coordinated responses among various agencies. The team consists of 4-5 MSP members, each responsible for liaison with local law enforcement and community groups in specific areas.
Governor Maura Healey emphasized the importance of uniting efforts against hate crimes, highlighting the role of HART and the significant funding for schools combating bias. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll reiterated the commitment to creating safe and inclusive spaces. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell praised the collective approach to these challenges.
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security released the 2022 Hate Crime Report, showing an increase in hate crime incidents in Massachusetts, with racial and ethnic bias being the most common motivation. Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy and MSP Interim Colonel John Mawn, Jr. stressed the importance of collaboration in ensuring public safety and confronting bias.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education distributed Hate Crime Prevention grants to ten school districts, supporting professional development and community engagement aimed at reducing bias and hate crimes. A second round of funding is now available for application.