OPHC Hate Crime Notification System

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OPHC Hate Crime Notification System

In March 2020, the New York City Council passed Local Law 49, mandating an “individualized response to alleged violent hate crimes.”

Pursuant to this legislation, the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC) is required to provide relevant information about the crime, including incident date and time, and information on the administration’s response to elected officials and affected communities.

Learn more about Local Law 49

Frequently Asked Questions

Who receives these notifications?

Currently, OPHC sends e-mail notifications to:

  1. Elected officials and other local representatives who serve the geographic area where the incident occurred (e.g., the affected district’s City Council member),
  2. The community board of the area where the incident occurred, and
  3. Community-based organizations that serve the affected community throughout the city, as determined by the bias motivation of the crime (e.g., LGBTQ organizations receive notification of all anti-sexual orientation or anti-gender identity assaults).

The OPHC Violent Hate Crime Notification System does not include any confidential information that compromises the identities of any parties involved or the integrity of any ongoing investigations.

When does the OPHC send these alerts?

OPHC sends notifications only after the New York City Police Department’s Hate Crimes Task Force has made an initial determination that a violent incident is being investigated as a hate crime. OPHC will then send notifications via e-mail and is committed to relaying relevant information accurately and in a timely manner.

What qualifies as a “violent hate crime”?

Violent hate crimes that will activate notifications currently include (but are not limited to):

  1. Violent felonies under 70.02 of the New York State Penal Law
  2. Article 125 crimes
  3. Article 130 crimes
  4. Assault 3
  5. Strangulation

Who do I contact for more information about a particular incident?

For any press inquiries or public information related to a specific incident, please contact the NYPD Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information (DCPI).

For general questions or concerns, please contact OPHC.