Reports of hate crimes increase in Florida

[davidinalameda]

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid23877.asp

The number of reported hate crimes in Florida jumped by 21.5% between 2003 and 2004, the Miami Herald reported Thursday. Race was the number 1 motivation for attacks, accounting for 60% of reports. Sexual orientation came in second, accounting for 16% of reports.

Why did the number of reported incidents rise to 334 from 274 when they had been decreasing during the past two years? The new data doesn't suggest a trend, but it could be due to "improvements in training that resulted in better investigative reporting by law enforcement," John Peck, spokesman for Florida attorney general Charlie Crist, told the Herald.

Art Teitelbaum, Southern area director for the Anti-Defamation League, called the new numbers very disturbing. "Whenever there is a nearly 22% increase in a category of crime, that is something to pay attention to," he said.

[madeline_con]

1. Before anyone says anything about FL....

let me point out that the freaks who would participate in hate crimes are everywhere.

It just happens that so many anti-gay and racist types are also self- professed "Christians".

I've been sadly amazed at the number in any given place since the insanity first came to my attention. I hadn't noticed the widespread epidemic it's become until recently. There are too many brain dead citizens milling about.

:(

[Open Mindz]

2. yes there are bad people everywhere

come on people with jeb bush being the Governor of florida, it is bound to get a higher crime rate because of the republicans feel safe to do whatever they want...after all the state is on their side!