Montgomery County Hate/Bias Incident Complaint Portal

Welcome to the Montgomery County Hate and Bias Incident Reporting Portal. We created this tool to simplify the reporting of hate and bias incidents. It aims to better support our diverse community. Your safety and voices matter; please call out hate to help keep everyone in our community safe.

Anonymity: You may report without providing contact information.

Languages: The form is available in many languages via the pull-down tab at the top of the page.

If you do not want to use the form, you can call 311.

Access the Montgomery County Hate/Bias Incident Complaint Form
graffiti on a wall

Image text: Call out hate. Keep us safe. Report to 3-1-1. It's Quick & Anonymous.

What is a Hate Crime?

A hate crime is a crime or threat of a crime motivated by someone’s actual or perceived identity, such as:

  • Race or Color
  • Religious Beliefs
  • Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
  • Disability
  • National Origin
  • Homelessness

Examples of hate crimes include:

  • Threatening to attack a place of worship.
  • Damaging or destroying religious property.
  • Assaulting someone because of their perceived identity.

What is a Hate/Bias Incident?

A hate or bias incident is any action motivated by hate that may not rise to the level of a crime, such as:

  • Offensive comments or slurs.
  • Graffiti with hateful symbols.
  • Discrimination or intimidation.

If you are unsure whether what happened is a hate crime or incident, you can still report it.

How to Report

You can report hate crimes or bias incidents in Montgomery County in several ways:

  1. Complete the Online Reporting Form
    • Takes 5–7 minutes.
    • Accessible to residents, visitors, or anyone harmed.
  2. Dial 311
    • Speak with someone directly for help.
  3. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Incidents

Important:
If you are in danger or want to report a crime, call 911 or call 311 to report a non-emergency.

Confidentiality

Reporting incidents will help Montgomery County track trends in hate-based incidents, even if they are not crimes. Your incidents will be shared in a Hate Bias Summary, linked below. You can also choose to submit anonymously, but we will not be able to follow up with you about the incident.

Montgomery County stands firm on privacy and inclusivity. We do not ask about anyone's immigration status. The county does not engage in immigration enforcement or investigations. Our commitment is to foster a welcoming community for all residents, regardless of background.

This is what reporting looks like: Monthly Hate/Bias Summaries, Montgomery County Police Department, Montgomery County, MD

How Will Your Information Be Used?

Your report helps Montgomery County:

  1. Track hate crimes and bias incidents across communities.
  2. Identify trends to guide community responses.
  3. Develop better strategies to combat hate and bias.

Information may also be shared with law enforcement for investigation in some cases.

Our Commitment

Montgomery County dedicates itself to protecting all diverse communities. Hate and bias have no place here. We will work together to build a safe, inclusive, and respectful community for all.

Additional resources for assistance