Medford Hate Crimes Doubled From 2016-17: FBI Data

MEDFORD, MA – New data released by the FBI Tuesday shows hate crimes in Medford doubled in 2017 from the previous year. Last year the city saw seven reported hate crimes – five of which were motivated by the victim's race, ethnicity or ancestry, one by the victim's religion and one by disability, according to the FBI.

Data going back a few years shows hate crimes in Medford dipped to three in 2016 after nine were reported in 2015 and 2014. But the city's numbers are on the low side compared to some of its neighbors – Arlington had 14 reported hate crimes last year, the second highest number in the state, and Somerville had 10.

Melrose and Winchester did not report numbers, and Malden fell just below Medford with five reported hate crimes, according to the FBI.

See also: MA Hate Crimes Increase As U.S. Numbers Skyrocket: FBI Data

The statewide spike in hate crimes paled in comparison to the nationwide increase of 17 percent. There were 7,175 such incidents reported in America in 2017, more than 1,000 more than in 2016.

The FBI said nearly 60 percent of last year's nationally reported hate crimes related to race, ethnicity, or ancestry. Of those, almost half were victims of crimes motivated by anti-black or African-American bias.

Roughly 20 percent of the reported hate crimes were based on religion, including a 37 percent spike in anti-Jewish offenses.

"The FBI data confirms that hate and bias have become part of daily life in America," Robert Trestan, New England regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said in statement.

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