Hate Crimes Reporting

by Michael Mahler

Currently, Pennsylvania's hate crimes law do not cover sexual orientation nor gender identity/expression as protected categories. The City of Erie's Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Municipal Equality Index (MEI) is calculated on the basis of accurate reporting of hate crimes for those categories as well. One of the barriers to passing LGBTQIA+ inclusive hate crime legislation is that many legislators believe that it is not a problem.

If you believe that you may have been the victim of a hate crime, which can include both actual or threatened violence/harm, please contact Erie City Police at either 911 (if it is currently an emergency situation) or (814) 870-1125 (if it is not an emergency situation/after the fact.) It is important to report the incident as soon as you can.

Additionally, please also contact the PA Human Relations Commission at 717-772-0523. Info about how to file a complaint with the PA HRC is at https://www.phrc.pa.gov/File-A-Complaint/Pages/About-Filing-A-Complaint.aspx

It is okay if you are not sure whether something was a hate crime or not. It is part of law enforcement's job to make that determination, and it is better to speak directly with law enforcement and help them perform their duty.