The report also reveals that nearly half of the felony assaults reported were motivated by anti-Jewish or anti-gay male bias, with third-degree assault and aggravated harassment being particularly prevalent.

Hate crimes in New York State have surged dramatically, with a staggering 69% increase since 2019, culminating in a record 1,089 incidents reported last year, the highest since the Hate Crimes Act began data collection.

According to a report published by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, anti-Jewish, anti-Black, and anti-LGBTQ incidents are among the most frequently targeted groups.

This alarming trend comes on the heels of the Hate Crimes Modernization Act, which was passed earlier this year, expanding hate crime laws to encompass nearly two dozen additional offenses, thanks to the efforts of State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Grace Lee.

Religion remains a primary motivator for hate crimes, accounting for nearly half of all reported incidents, followed by race, ethnicity, and national origin at about one-third, and anti-LGBTQ incidents representing 17%.

Rev. Al Sharpton has called for leaders to take action against the rising tide of hate crimes, linking the increase to the vitriolic rhetoric propagated by fringe ideologies and public figures.

Lastly, the report indicates that a slight majority of hate crimes last year were directed at individuals rather than property, with 32% classified as felonies, including felony assault.

The increase in hate crimes is not uniform; from 2019 to 2023, New York City experienced a 59% rise, while the rest of the state saw an even steeper 88% increase, with a notable 12.6% uptick in NYC from 2022 to 2023.

Particularly concerning is the 140% rise in hate crimes targeting trans individuals during this period, highlighting a significant escalation in violence against marginalized groups.

In the last five years, a striking 71% of hate crimes driven by anti-LGBTQ bias specifically targeted gay male victims, with incidents against gay men increasing by 141% from 2018 to 2023.