Montgomery County Launches New Hate-Bias Incident Complaint Portal and Hotline to Simplify Reporting Process

For Immediate Release: Friday, December 6, 2024

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich announced a new hate-bias incident complaint portal and a telephone hotline to simplify reporting hate-bias incidents to the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). Residents can report a hate-bias incident by visiting montgomerycountymd.gov/report-hate or calling the County’s 311 Call Center from 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Reporting incidents will help Montgomery County track trends in hate-based incidents, even if they are not necessarily crimes. Reported incidents will be shared in a Hate-Bias Summary, linked here. Residents can also choose to submit anonymously, but no follow-up from MCPD will occur. 

The online form is meant to report things such as harassment, graffiti and violence against someone based on bias. This portal is not for reporting crimes; more information on what constitutes a hate crime is described below. A bias-related incident may be motivated by the same reasons as a hate crime but is different because the initial action did not rise to the level of a criminal offense. 

“In the past year, nearly 600 hate incidents have been reported, but we believe there are more that don’t get reported,” said County Executive Elrich. “Whether it is verbal abuse, threats, acts of vandalism or something else, these incidents have no place in Montgomery County, and I want everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or immigration status, to report these incidents so police can investigate."

In Montgomery County, a hate crime is a criminal act that is intended to damage property or to hurt or intimidate a person because of race, religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation or disability. The State of Maryland also extends protections for hate crimes based on gender, gender-related identity, color or homelessness.

Examples of hate crimes include:

• vandalism and property damage, which include hate symbols or language,
• hate-related graffiti,
• physical assault,
• arson,
• cross burning,
• bomb threats, and
• intimidation or threat.

Some hate-motivated acts do not rise to the level of a hate crime, so the person(s) responsible for the act cannot be charged with a crime in Montgomery County. These acts may still leave individuals feeling victimized. Examples of hate-motivated acts that do not rise to the level of a crime include:

• name-calling,
• offensive language, or
• hateful speech or writings.

The portal and hotline were included in the County’s Anti-Hate Task Force recommendations. MCPD is working in collaboration with the Office of Community Partnerships (OCP) to find solutions to better address the community's concerns about the increase in hate-bias incidents in Montgomery County over the past few years.

OCP, in collaboration with MCPD and the County’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions, created the reporting portal. The County’s Public Information Office will help publicize the new reporting hotline and online portal through the County website, social media messages, digital signs in County buildings and numerous County-sponsored digital newsletters. OCP also will promote the effort to communities through community liaisons and advisory groups.

“The new Hate-Bias Incident complaint portal and hotline is a critical tool for ensuring every resident feels safe and valued in Montgomery County," said Shawn Ellis, director of the OCP. "This initiative reflects our commitment to creating culturally and linguistically accessible resources that empower all communities, particularly those most vulnerable to hate and bias. By simplifying the reporting process, we are taking an important step toward fostering trust, promoting inclusion and strengthening the bonds that unite us as neighbors.”

To report a non-emergency hate or bias incident, call 311 or complete the online form at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/report-hate. To report a crime, call 301-279-8000. To report an emergency, call 911.

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Release ID: 24-550
Media Contact: Barry Hudson 240-300-7348
Categories: Executive Office, Public Safety