This week, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and her office released the “2022 Hate Crimes in Florida Report.”
“The document includes detailed information about the types of hate crimes reported throughout the state to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement under the Uniform Crime Reporting information system for the 2022 calendar year. The report shows an increase in hate crime reports from 2021 to 2022, including a more than 100 percent increase in anti-Jewish incidents,” Moody’s office noted.
“Crimes driven by hatred for others are a scourge on our society and the recent uptick in these vile acts is infuriating. Particularly troubling is the doubling of antisemitic crimes in Florida—as we are now seeing assaults on Jewish people increase across the globe. Let me be clear, Florida stands against antisemitism and hate of any kind. As a nation, we must continue to support Israel and have a zero tolerance for crime against Jewish Floridians—and all Floridians,” said Moody.
“Hate crimes are senseless, criminal acts based on hatred and bias toward individuals or groups because of race, religion, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics. According to the report, 229 hate crimes were reported statewide from Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2022—up from 148 incidents reported in 2021,” Moody’s office noted. “In 1989, the Florida Legislature passed laws designed to address the issue of hate crimes. Section 775.085, Florida Statutes, increases penalties for convictions of crimes where there is evidence of certain prejudice. Additionally, the Hate Crimes Reporting Act, Section 877.19, Florida Statutes, requires law enforcement agencies to report hate crimes to the FDLE. It also requires the Florida Attorney General’s Office to publish an annual summary of data collected by FDLE.”
The report can be read here.
