The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Crime Analysis Unit has released its latest statistical report on ethnic intimidation incidents in the City of Pittsburgh. The 6-month review covers the period from January 1 through June 30, 2021. 

It found that in the first half of the year there were 11 reported incidents of ethnic intimidation.

Police made five arrests stemming from four out of the 11 incidents, a clearance rate of 36.4%. Race and ethnicity are the primary basis for the ethnic intimidation cases, making up eight of the 11 reported incidents, or 73%.

Of those 11 incidents, seven were racial slurs made toward Black individuals, one was directed toward a White individual, two related incidents were cases of vandalism toward individuals targeting their Jewish faith, and one referenced the victim’s sexual orientation.

Four of the 11 incidents involved violence, while the remaining seven incidents were either threats of violence, harassment, or vandalism.

These incidents occurred across the City. Police Zones 2, 5, and 6 each recorded three reported incidents. Zones 1 and 4 each took one report of ethnic intimidation.

The data was compiled from incidents reported to Pittsburgh Police and logged through APRS, the Automated Police Reporting System.

Ethnic Intimidation is defined as; “a criminal offense committed against a person, property or society which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation." The Pennsylvania Crimes Code does not have a “Hate Crimes” charge.

For more a more detailed breakdown of the total violent and non-violent ethnic intimidation incidents since 2010, please see the charts attached.