Program Overview
In 2023, Anne Arundel County was awarded a $1.2 million grant through the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance to implement the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program in the county.
The Anne Arundel County Hate Crimes and Hate Bias Incidents Prevention Program aims to:
- Develop a comprehensive approach to hate crimes and hate bias incidents prevention, investigation, and prosecution
- Provide services to victims of hate bias incidents in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
To achieve these goals, the program will take a multi-pronged approach:
Engaging, educating, and empowering communities
Building collaboration and consensus
Enhancing tactics and technology
The Anne Arundel County Hate Crimes Prevention Program aims to:
- Engage and educate the public and persons at risk of experiencing hate crimes.
- Prepare program partners to fully understand and address hate crimes through leadership and assessment of their organizational cultures.
- Provide services to victims of hate crimes and hate-bias incidents.
- Host Countywide conferences on hate crimes for all law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and community partners.
- Host Community Hate Bias Forums.
- Host Protecting Places of Worship Trainings
- Develop hate crime informational materials in English, Spanish, and Korean.
- Develop a countywide hate crimes strategy.
- Improve collaboration between law enforcement, prosecution and community-based organizations.
- Build community trust and confidence in public safety agencies to assist in the identification,investigation, and prosecution of hate crimes.
- Build consensus among public safety agencies to improve investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.
- Enhance police department staffing for community outreach.
- Establish state and region-wide coordinated efforts to prevent, identify, investigate, and heal from hate crimes.
- Procure new, state-of-the-art surveillance equipment to enhance investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. Increase the reporting, identification, and charging of hate crimes, through expanding and enhancing strategies.
- Enhance law enforcement capacity to investigate and resolve incidents.
A message for victims of hate crimes and hate bias incidents
We believe that every person deserves to feel safe, valued, and respected, no matter their race, religion, gender, or identity. By standing together and actively confronting hate, we can build a stronger, more inclusive community for all. Together, we can create a safer and more welcoming world for everyone and the best place for all in Anne Arundel County.
Program Resources
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