Annapolis, MD (January 22, 2026) – Today, County Executive Steuart Pittman announced the creation of a new online hate bias incident reporting portal created by the Anne Arundel County Hate Crimes Prevention Program (HCPP), under the Office of Equity and Human Rights (OEHR). The reporting portal will provide victims and witnesses of hate bias incidents with another way to report information about the incident(s).
“This portal offers victims and observers of bigotry and hate a secure and accessible way to report,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “Our Hate Crimes Prevention Program team will use the data in its work to make our county safer, more welcoming, and more peaceful.”
The online reporting portal is available in English, Spanish, and Korean. Reports submitted through the portal can be anonymous, and the information will be used to:
- Help track hate bias incidents
- Identify trends in hate bias incidents
- Inform the work of the county’s HCPP team to provide appropriate, targeted outreach and programming
- Develop recommendations for improving the county’s response to hate bias incidents/crimes
"Every person in Anne Arundel County deserves to feel safe, welcomed, respected, valued, and protected," said Dr. Nikki Smith-Kea, Senior Project Manager of the Hate Crimes Prevention Program. "This initiative is designed to build vital trust between the community and our public safety agencies, ensuring we can effectively identify and address hate, and ultimately build a stronger, more inclusive community together."
In 2025, the Anne Arundel County Police Department reported 117 hate bias incidents from January 1, 2025 - November 2, 2025 to the state for further investigation. This is more than any year since 2019, when data became publicly available on the Hate Bias Incident Dashboard.
Community voices are vital to the work of the county’s HCPP, and residents are encouraged to share their experiences to help us better combat hate and bias throughout Anne Arundel County. The Hate Bias Incident Reporting Portal can be accessed here.
This portal is a supplemental tool and is not meant to replace a police report. Victims and witnesses of a hate crime or bias incident or individuals who feel their safety is threatened should call 911 for immediate assistance. For non-emergencies, residents should report hate crimes or bias incidents to the Anne Arundel County Police Department by contacting 410-222-8610. Additional reporting information for local and state law enforcement is available here.
To learn more about the county’s Hate Crime Prevention Program, visit aacounty.org/NoHateHere.