Review of Hate Crime Prevention,
Response, and Reporting in
Seattle: Phase 2 Report
PRESENTATION TO SEAT TLE CITY COUNCIL COMMIT TEE ON CIVIL
RIGHTS, UTILITIES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND ARTS
MAY 14, 2019
City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

1

 What We Did
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Hate Crime Statistics 2012-2018
Prosecution Data
Geographic Analysis
Survey of Community Organizations
Data Tracking

City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

2

 Reported Hate Crimes in Seattle are Rising
521
418

256
205
106

109

126

Non-Criminal Bias Incidents
Offensive bias comments;
increased 448% since 2012
Crimes with Bias Elements
Criminal act involving bias, but
not bias motivated;
increased 378% since 2012
Malicious Harassment
Criminal act motivated by bias;
increased 346% since 2012

Source: Seattle Office of City Auditor analysis of Seattle Police Department bias crime data.

City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

3

 Top Four Offense Categories
Assaults with a hate element
increased 524% since 2012

Source: Seattle Office of City Auditor analysis of Seattle Police Department bias crime data.

City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

4

 Top Four Bias Categories
Hate crimes and incidents with a
racial bias increased 427% since 2012

Source: Seattle Office of City Auditor analysis of Seattle Police Department bias crime data.

City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

5

 398
SPD-Reported Cases of Malicious
Harassment
128
Referred for Prosecution
(10 of these were referred as another crime)

102
Accepted for Prosecution

87
Prosecuted as
Malicious Harassment
37
Malicious Harassment
Convictions
City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

SPD Refers 1/3 of
Hate Crime Cases
for Prosecution,
2012-2017
Source: Seattle Office of City Auditor analysis of data from the Seattle Police
Department, King County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Seattle City Attorney’s Office.
6

 Prosecution Analysis: Recommendations
Recommendation 1: SPD should use their new records management
system to improve tracking of referred hate crimes.
Recommendation 2: SPD should document why hate crimes are not
referred for prosecution.
Recommendation 3: The Seattle City Attorney’s Office and the King
County Prosecutor’s Office should track and publicly report hate
crime prosecution data.
City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

7

 Hate Crimes Were
Concentrated in
High Traffic Areas,
2012-2016

Hate Crimes and Incidents in South Seattle
Source: Neighborhood Demographics, Zoning, & Hate Crime Report

City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

8

 Hate Crimes Were
Concentrated Along
Borders of Racially
Diverse Neighborhoods,
2012-2016

Hate Crimes and Incidents in North Seattle
Source: Neighborhood Demographics, Zoning, & Hate Crime Report

City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

9

 Survey of 53 Community Organizations –
Underreporting
• 28 organizations think hate crimes are a significant issue for the
people they serve
• 32 organizations knew a recent victim
• 19 organizations knew a victim who did not report a hate crime
o Immigration status
o Fear of offender retaliation
o Reported to community
organization
City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

o Limited English proficiency
o Perception that law enforcement
would be inefficient and/or
ineffective
10

 Survey of Community Organizations –
Vulnerable Populations
People with disabilities
• 8 organizations knew a recent victim

People who are homeless
• 14 organizations knew a recent victim
People from immigrant communities and non-English speakers
• Top reason for not reporting

City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

11

 Survey of Community Organizations –
Requests for Support
• Coordination with SPD to increase reporting, especially for
vulnerable populations
• Better understanding of the reporting process
• Information on report resolutions
• Education/training and resource guides

• Tips – prevention, recognizing a hate crime, respond safely
• More police presence
• More support for victims
City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

12

 Prevention and Response: Recommendations
Recommendation 4: SPD should partner with community
organizations to address:
• Underreporting
• Vulnerable Populations
• Requests for Support
Recommendation 5: SPD should use additional indicators to evaluate
the success of hate crime efforts.

City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

13

 Hate Crime Data Tracking: Recommendations
Recommendation 6: SPD should have a policy on updating electronic
case records.
Recommendation 7: SPD should have a policy on including hate
graffiti in bias crimes statistics.

City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor

14

 ThankYbu

 



 

 

City of Seattle - Office of City Auditor