The NYPD confirmed 68 hate crimes in May, up from 39 in the same month last year, a 74.4% increase, according to data released Wednesday. Police said 98 hate crime complaints were reported in May, and more than 60% of the confirmed cases were anti-Jewish.
Year to date, the department has confirmed 265 hate crimes, an 8.6% increase from 244 during the same period in 2025. The year-to-date breakdown includes 152 anti-Jewish incidents, 24 religion-based incidents, 22 tied to sexual orientation, 18 anti-Black incidents, 17 anti-Muslim incidents and nine anti-Asian incidents.
In May, the NYPD confirmed three anti-Asian hate crimes, up from two in May 2025, a 50% increase. For the year, the department has confirmed nine anti-Asian incidents, down 18.2% from 11 during the same period last year.
The NYPD said confirmed religion-based hate crimes rose to 10 in May from one a year earlier, a 900% increase. Confirmed sexual-orientation-related hate crimes climbed to five from one last May, a 400% increase.
The department said it distinguishes between reported and confirmed hate crimes. Reported cases are complaints flagged for review, while confirmed cases are those determined by the Hate Crime Task Force, in consultation with the Legal Bureau, to meet the legal definition under New York State law.
People who believe they were victims of a hate crime should follow the same process used to report any other crime. For emergencies or crimes in progress, they should call 911 immediately. Non-emergency incidents or past crimes can be reported to a local police precinct, where officers can provide immediate assistance and begin a preliminary investigation.
If the case appears to be motivated by bias or prejudice, the Hate Crime Task Force is notified and conducts a fuller investigation. The NYPD says victims can also rely on help from precinct Community Affairs officers and the Hate Crime Task Force, and that immigration status does not prevent anyone from reporting a hate crime or accessing services.
The NYPD also encourages anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
The department said it releases both reported and confirmed figures to improve transparency and reflect best practices in hate crime reporting.
The NYPD defines a hate crime as any offense or unlawful act motivated in whole or in substantial part by a belief or perception about a person’s race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation, regardless of whether that belief or perception is correct.
The department says its Hate Crime Task Force is a specialized unit of NYPD officers that investigates bias-motivated crimes and works with community groups and other law enforcement agencies on awareness, prevention and education.
The NYPD also notes that hateful or offensive speech alone may be protected by the First Amendment, but a hate crime involves a criminal act motivated by the victim’s perceived identity.
The state’s Hate Crimes Task Force also investigates bias-motivated threats, harassment, discrimination and violence, and residents can file complaints through the state’s Hate and Bias Prevention Unit hotline at 844-662-4283 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or submit a report online.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
