Racial bias incidents top U.S. hate-crimes list again

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In a report released Tuesday, the FBI said 7,876 hate crimes were reported in the United States in 1999. As in previous years, racial incidents topped the list.

The latest figures represent an increase over the 7,755 hate crimes reported in 1998, but the difference may not be significant because more agencies were reporting such crimes to the FBI in 1999. The figures are in the FBI's Hate Crime Statistics, an annual publication.

Seventeen people were murdered in incidents classified as hate crimes, compared to 13 in 1998.

RESOURCES FBI Press Room - Hate Crime Statistics, 1999 Read the statistics (requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™) Download Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™

Of the total 7,876 incidents, racial bias was associated with 54.5 percent of the cases, followed by religious bias at 17.9 percent, sexual bias at 16.7 percent, ethnic bias at 10.5 percent and bias against the disabled at 0.24 percent.

Intimidation was the most frequently reported hate crime, accounting for 35.1 percent of the total. Vandalism accounted for 28.5 percent of the total.

Assault and aggravated assault comprised 19 percent and 12 percent, respectively, of all reported hate crimes.

A hate crime is defined as a traditional offense, such as murder or arson, with an added element of bias.

The report said that 12,122 law enforcement agencies in 48 states and the District of Columbia reported hate crimes.

Furrow pleads guilty to shootings, will avoid death penalty, get life without parole
January 24, 2001
Reno calls for tougher hate crimes law
October 19, 2000
Reporting hate crimes presents dilemma for many officials
October 5, 2000
President Clinton urges Congress to pass hate crimes bill
September 13, 2000

WhiteHouse.gov: Conference on Hate Crimes
U.S. Dept. of Justice: Hateful Acts Hurt Kids
Hate Crimes
Hate Crimes Laws
Human Rights Campaign
FBI's Uniform Crime Reports - Hate Crime Statistics
ReligiousTolerance.com: Hate crime legislation
Police Executive Research Forum

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.