Report a Hate Crime
The Importance of Reporting Hate Crimes
For the police to respond effectively to any crime, they must be notified immediately via 911 so that any injuries can be treated, witnesses can be interviewed, evidence can be collected and preserved, to increase the chance that suspect(s) will be arrested.
If you have been a victim of a bias or hate crime and time have passed, it is not too late we still want to know about it! IT IS NEVER TOO LATE! Please call our non-emergency line at (206) 625-5011 and have an Officer come out and take your report. We can not address what we do not know about.
Unfortunately, victims of bias-motivated crimes are often fearful to report for a variety of reasons believing it was their own fault, embarrassment, or it is just part of life. This can lead to significant under-reporting and inaccurate statistics. It also allows the suspects who committed these crimes to continue their behavior with other victims. Suspects depend on putting and keeping the victims and the community in fear, allowing them to further victimize others. Standing up to these suspects gets them off the street and strengthens your community! The Seattle Police Department wants victims of hate crimes to feel comfortable reporting these incidents to the police.
Ways to Report
- If the incident is happening now, or just happened, call 9-1-1 immediately.
- If the incident has already occurred, the immediate danger is over and there are no injuries, call (206) 625-5011.
- In-person at any one of our six SPD locations. Locate your nearest Precinct HERE.
- Learn more about reporting hate crimes.