NCJ Number
144190
Date Published
1993
Length
14 pages
Annotation
There were 1,303 actual bias incident offenses reported by New Jersey police in 1992, a 34-percent increase over 1991. Bias incidents are suspected or confirmed offenses that occur to an individual or property on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.
Abstract
Harassment accounted for 34 percent of all bias incident offenses, while criminal mischief and damage to property accounted for an additional 30 percent. Racial bias was the motive in 57 percent, and persons were the target in 67 percent, of these offenses in 1992. Blacks were the most frequently targeted racial group, Jews the most frequently targeted religious group, and Hispanics the most frequently targeted ethnic group in New Jersey. Crimes were most frequently committed on Tuesday, in May, and at a residence. Police cleared 43 percent of all bias incident offenses, including 444 arrests. There was no evidence of involvement by organized hate groups in any of these reported incidents.