Hate Crimes Up 17 Percent in Montgomery County: Police Chief

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Hate-based crimes from racist graffiti to violent attacks have increased by 17 percent this year in Montgomery County, says the police chief, and the incidents can send shock waves through the community.

In a video message posted online Thursday, Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger says there have been 62 incidents reported to the police department so far in 2016. He said the hate crimes are generally motivated by race, religion, or sexual orientation, and are a serious issue for police.

“Hate is unacceptable. These acts are crimes against all of us,” said Manger. “Each one of these cases represents a victim and community that has been harmed.”

In the past few weeks, police have seen a spike in hate crimes, and Manger said a detective has been assigned to every case.

Last week, two men were charged with assault tied to a fight sparked when the suspects reportedly used a slur about a gay couple's sexual orientation and poured water on one of the men at an Olney bar and restaurant.

Swastikas and other symbols of hate are wrong and won't be tolerated by Montgomery County Public Schools, Superintendent Jack Smith said Tuesday.

“In recent weeks, Montgomery County Public Schools has seen a surge in hate-related vandalism in our schools and on school property. This trend is disturbing and unacceptable," Smith said.

Last week at Westland Middle School in Bethesda, swastikas were drawn on the mirrors and walls of a boys' restroom. A $10,000 reward for an arrest in the case was announced Monday.

And in late October, images of Nazi swastikas and male genitalia were spray-painted above the entrance to Burning Tree Elementary School in Bethesda. The school is used on the weekend by a Jewish congregation for services.

Similar symbols were marked on the grass of the Quince Orchard High School football field in Gaithersburg the week before the Burning Tree incident. Police say vandals used some sort of a caustic substance to deface the field surface with a swastika and male genitalia.

In all three cases, police have called the vandalism a hate crime.

“Many of these cowardly acts are committed under the cover of darkness when no one is watching,” Manger said Thursday.

Manger said these crimes leave victims traumatized, angry and scared. Because victims feel powerless and vulnerable, it’s important to demonstrate that the community cares for them, he aded.

“Hate is unacceptable, these acts are crimes against all of us and they will no be tolerated,” Manger said.

Watch Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger’s video: