Gov. Cuomo Announces NY State Hate Crime Hotline Now Accepts Text Messages

Governor Cuomo announced on February 22nd that the NY State hotline to report bias and hate crimes will now also accept text messages.

In response to incidents of racial, bias, and religious hate crimes across the country, Governor Cuomo expanded the hotline, which debuted in November 2016 and has accepted 3,175 calls, to now allow New Yorkers to file a report of a crime they witness by texting "HATE" to 81336. Crimes may still be reported to the hotline via 1-888-392-3644, but the text message service can also receive photos and any additional details of the scene that may prove valuable in the resulting investigation. A tip that leads to an arrest may be eligible for a $5,000 reward.

The Governor also introduced a $25 million fund intended to "boost safety and security at New York’s schools and day care centers at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs or mission." This week saw at least 60 bomb threats to Jewish Community Centers nationwide and even a threat to the Anti-Defamation League headquarters in NYC, and the NY state fund will provide security upgrades to schools and daycares that may be targeted by future threats.

View the full announcement below: