A new campaign that encourages people to anonymously report hate crimes has launched in Edmonton.
On Wednesday morning, the Crime Stoppers Association of Edmonton and Northern Alberta launched its new “Report Hate” campaign.
The non-profit organization has partnered with the Edmonton Police Service and government of Alberta to launch transit ads throughout the city. Two ETS buses will be wrapped in ads that say “See hate. Report hate.” Placards will also be up within the LRT system.
A hate crime is any criminal offence that is motivated by hate, bias or prejudice towards an identifiable group based on real or perceived colour, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual identity, gender identity or expression or any other similar factor.
“This could include crimes such as assaults, graffiti, direct threats or distribution or hate literature,” said EPS deputy chief Devin Laforce.
Crime Stoppers hopes the campaign will amplify the options already out there to report hate crimes.
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“When you report to Crime Stoppers, it is 100 per cent anonymous,” said Chris Holtz, president of the Edmonton and Northern Alberta Crime Stoppers chapter.
“We will never ask for any personal or identifying information, we don’t have call trace, caller ID, or use any voice recognition or tracking systems, and you will never be asked to appear in court or talk to lawyers or police.”
Laforce said hate crimes have been on the rise in Edmonton since 2022.
“Point about having underreported crimes, we don’t necessarily have that true picture… but it (the rise in cases) is significant,” he said, adding such crimes can lead to trauma and a feeling of a lack of safety.
Holtz said that between April 18, 2023 and April 18, 2024, Crime Stoppers received 6,554 tips in Edmonton and 29 of those were related to hate crimes.
“We definitely know that these incidents are happening. But I think a lot of community members have that fear of reporting,” Holtz said.
Officials hope remaining anonymous will help Edmontonians come forward to report hate crimes when they may not otherwise feel comfortable reporting them.
“You are the eyes and ears in the community when police are not around, and we want to hear what you have to say,” Holtz said.
“Hate has no place in our province and every Albertan deserves to feel safe, respected and valued,” said Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis. “Reporting these incidents is critical.”
People can report any crime to Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
Other ways people can report hate crimes include reporting online to EPS or calling the non-emergency line at 780-423-4567. Anyone who witnesses a hate crime happening is encouraged to call 911.
The campaign cost about $35,000 and is set to run in Edmonton for the next eight to 12 weeks.
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