Brantford Police Service is launching a new public awareness campaign to help community members better understand what constitutes a hate crime, recognize the difference between a hate crime and a hate incident, and know how to report these incidents.
The campaign aims to encourage reporting, provide education, and strengthen relationships with the diverse communities that make Brantford a welcoming and inclusive place to live, work, and visit.
“Hate has no place in our community,” said Detective Constable Jet Khagura of the Brantford Police Service. “Whether someone has experienced a hate crime or a hate incident, we want people to know they will be treated with respect, their concerns will be taken seriously, and support is available. Reporting these incidents helps us identify patterns, support victims, and work with our community to prevent future occurrences.”
A hate crime is a criminal offence that is motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate toward an identifiable group, while a hate incident involves hateful behaviour that may not meet the threshold of a criminal offence. Although not every hate incident is a crime, every report helps police better understand hate-related activity in the community and informs prevention and education efforts.
Community members are encouraged to report suspected hate crimes or hate incidents, even if they are unsure whether a criminal offence has occurred. Police will assess the information provided and determine the appropriate response. Anyone wishing to report a hate crime or hate incident that is not an emergency can contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
