Following anecdotal reports of an uptick in harassment of minority groups across the country, Providence has created a hate crime hotline. There is currently no statewide mechanism dedicated to hate incidents.
The new hotline is part of Mayor Jorge Elorza’s effort to allay the concerns of residents, after the election of Donald Trump. Many of the city’s minority groups, including sexual, racial and religious minorities, have expressed fears about safety and protection from harassment under the incoming administration.
“Whenever it happens, we have to call it out, and there has to be a place to turn to,” said Elorza at the official launch of the hotline. “And we’ll collect this information and know whether certain communities or certain groups are being targeted, and that will help inform some of our policies going forward as well.”
Elorza said when a person calls the 24-hour hotline they will be directed to Providence Police, if the incident should be investigated as a crime, or hate crime.
“If it’s not a criminal offense, we will connect that person who has been victimized with the resources that they need,” said Elorza. “And then last, and just as importantly, we’re going to track every single incident throughout the city, because we can’t allow these things to be normalized.”
Often police departments work with the State Attorney General’s office to determine whether an incident is a hate crime. Elorza added that non-Providence residents are also welcome to use the hotline to report harassment.
That 24-hour hotline is 1-877-3HCRIME.
