PORTLAND, Ore. – In response to an increase in perceived hate-related activity across the Portland Metro Area, the United States Attorney’s Office, along with law enforcement partners from across the state, encourage anyone with information about hate-related activity to contact their local law enforcement agency and the FBI.

If you are concerned about your safety, please call 9-1-1 immediately.

Recent reports of hate-related activity in our state are deeply concerning to members of our law enforcement community. Beyond local reports, Oregonians have likely seen an increase in news reports and social media posts about alleged hate crimes and harassment across the country. These reports have caused many in our community to fear for their own or their loved ones’ safety.

“The United States Attorney’s Office, with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, wants to reassure community members that we are united in our efforts to combat hate crimes in any form and to repudiate the targeting of individuals because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity” said Billy J. Williams, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon. “We remain committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting all hate crimes.”

“We must stand together against hate because all Oregonians deserve to feel safe in our communities," said Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. "A hate crime occurs when somebody intentionally subjects another to offensive physical contact, physical injury, or damage to another person’s property based on their race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. Fortunately, in Oregon we have laws that protect us from these hateful acts.”

“Everyone has a right to live, work and worship freely and without fear,” said Loren Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “When someone commits a crime of violence against you because of your race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender or gender identity, the FBI will stand with you to make sure our shared community is both safe and just.”

Victims and witnesses of crime are not responsible for determining whether an action rises to the level of a hate crime. Law enforcement personnel in Oregon encourage over-reporting. Links to Oregon police departments and county sheriffs’ offices are listed below:

For crimes committed in Oregon, the FBI Portland Division can be reached at (503) 224-4181. A list of all local FBI offices is available at: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices . Reports to the FBI can also be submitted online from any state via: https://tips.fbi.gov .

Additionally, the Oregon Department of Justice collects reports of hate crimes to ensure these are passed on to the appropriate authority for investigation via the following web form: https://justice.oregon.gov/crimereporting/hatecrime .

If you have questions about your rights or the hate crime reporting process, please contact any of the following law enforcement agencies: