Interagency Committee on Hate Crimes

The NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC) leads and coordinates the Interagency Committee on Hate Crimes as part of its mandate under Local Law 49, which charges the Office with advising the Mayor and implementing a unified, citywide approach to hate crime prevention, awareness, investigation, prosecution, and community impact. The Committee establishes a coordinated system for how New York City responds to hate crimes and ensures that agencies work collaboratively rather than in isolation.
Bringing together representatives from multiple city agencies and all five District Attorneys’ offices, the Interagency Committee breaks down silos, strengthens communication, and aligns policies, practices, and information sharing across government entities. Through data analysis, shared expertise, and cross-sector collaboration, the Committee works to enhance prevention efforts, improve response strategies, and support communities affected by hate and bias.

Program Goals

Advance the requirements of Local Law 49 by coordinating a unified citywide response to hate crimes
Strengthen communication and collaboration across agencies involved in prevention, enforcement, and community impact
Share best practices and expertise on hate crime prevention, reporting, and response
Analyze data collectively to identify trends and inform strategies
Improve pathways for victims, survivors, and impacted communities to access support
Ensure policies and practices reduce harm and foster safety, dignity, and trust

Activities and Engagement

Regular convenings of agency partners and District Attorneys’ offices
Cross-agency data sharing and trend analysis
Policy and practice alignment to enhance coordinated response
Collaborative planning on public education and awareness efforts
Knowledge exchange and technical assistance among members
Integration with community-facing programs and initiatives

Membership and Participating Partners

As of September 2021, participants in the Interagency Committee on Hate Crimes include:

City Agencies

City Commission on Human Rights
Civic Engagement Commission
Department of Citywide Administration Services
Department of Education
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Department of Parks and Recreation
Department of Probation
Department of Youth and Community Development
Mayor's Community Affairs Unit
Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health
Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice
Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence
Law Department Family Court Division
New York Police Department
Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings
Small Business Services
Taxi and Limousine Commission
Unity Project

District Attorneys’ Offices

Brooklyn DA Hate Crimes Unit
Manhattan DA Hate Crimes Bureau
Staten Island DA Hate Crimes Unit
Bronx DA Hate Crimes
Queens DA Gang Violence and Hate Crimes Unit

Membership reflects New York City's broad operational landscape and supports coordinated prevention, enforcement, education, and community response.

Working Groups

Interagency Committee members also participate in specialized Working Groups to advance short- and long-term strategies in key focus areas including:

Education
Neighborhood Safety and Community Relations
Victim Support
Restorative Justice Programs
Strategies to Enhance Incident Reporting

These Working Groups apply subject matter expertise to practical implementation, community partnership, and systemic improvement.

Why This Committee Matters

Hate crimes have ripple effects. They harm individuals, instill fear, weaken neighborhood ties, and threaten safety across entire communities. Preventing and responding to hate requires coordination, shared responsibility, and unified leadership. The Interagency Committee ensures that New York City’s efforts are comprehensive, aligned, data informed, and rooted in community needs. This collaboration strengthens trust, enhances accountability, and supports a safer and more inclusive city for all.