Hate crimes in New York City increased 67 percent in the first quarter of the year, with anti-Semitic incidents spiking 82 percent, according to new data from the New York Police Department.

CBS New York reported the spike on Thursday, noting that crimes based on sexual orientation are also on the rise.

The Anti-Defamation League blamed the internet for the increase in hate crimes, telling CBS that people are using online platforms to spread their messages.

ADVERTISEMENT

“People are using online platforms to rile themselves up, and also to get their messaging out to other people to get them riled up,” Evan Bernstein of the ADL told the news outlet.

Both the suspect in an April shooting at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in San Diego and the suspect in a March shooting at two Christchurch, New Zealand, mosques posted manifestos online. The Poway shooter also said he was inspired by the Christchurch shooter and the suspect in the killing of 11 worshipers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh last October, the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history.

Data released earlier this week by the ADL indicated that anti-Semitic incidents in particular have doubled since 2015, although the number was down slightly from 2017. The organization recorded 1,879 anti-Semitic incidents in 2018.

"No one should ever have to live in fear of being violently attacked, physically harmed or verbally harassed simply because of their culture or faith,” Bernstein told Haaretz. “We must continue to denounce these horrific attacks and work together to create safe communities for all New Yorkers.”