BALTIMORE, MD — Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has introduced a new initiative to combat hate crimes and bias incidents in Maryland through the launch of an online portal, nohomeforhate.md.gov. This tool is part of a broader strategy to address hate crimes statewide, emphasizing Maryland’s commitment to being a place where there is no tolerance for hate.
The portal was developed in partnership with the Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) and is supported by a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance at the United States Department of Justice. It aims to provide a secure way for victims to report hate crimes and bias incidents immediately after contacting emergency services. Attorney General Brown stressed the importance of this tool, noting that it serves as a critical platform for victims to report incidents safely and helps state authorities better understand and address the frequency and severity of hate crimes.
According to state data, hate crimes in Maryland are on the rise, with 465 incidents reported in 2022, an increase from 388 in 2021 and a significant jump from 155 in 2014. The new portal will facilitate better tracking and analysis of these crimes, assist in identifying trends, and inform ongoing efforts by the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention to improve state responses.
Katie Savage, Secretary of Information Technology at DoIT, expressed pride in supporting this essential initiative, highlighting the portal’s role in enabling Marylanders to contribute crucial information about hate crimes. The portal, which is mobile-friendly, also offers resources to help victims and witnesses understand how to identify hate crimes and bias incidents and links to support services, both governmental and community-based.
Users of the portal can report incidents anonymously, ensuring privacy and security. The portal is designed to complement emergency services, with reminders for individuals to call 911 first in urgent situations. Additionally, it supports multiple languages to accommodate Maryland’s diverse population.
The portal also features a section dedicated to the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention, chaired by Attorney General Brown. This section provides updates on commission meetings, public events, and archives of press releases and past events, reinforcing the state’s commitment to transparency and community involvement in combating hate crimes.