Passaic Prosecutor's Office

If this is an emergency, please CALL 9-1-1 or local police department.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office is committed to protecting all individuals and religious institutions or organizations in Passaic County that can be targeted for a hate crime. The information provided may assist law enforcement into tracking potential bias/hate crime issues.

A bias incident or hate crime is defined as any suspected or confirmed offense or unlawful act which occurs against a person or property (public or private) on the basis of New Jersey’s nine protected classes: race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and national origin. Examples of bias incidents and hate crimes:

• racially-motivated graffiti
• threats of physical harm
• property damage or bodily injury
• harassment

• assault
• terroristic threats
• arson
• criminal mischief
• homicide

For more information, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Bias Incident Investigation Standards can be found at: Bias-Invest-Standards_040519.pdf (nj.gov)

Not all incidents turn out to be crimes, but any potential bias incident should be reported to the police as a bias incident so that it can be fully investigated.

• In other words, if you are a victim of, or a witness to, any offense which occurs against a person based on that person’s race, color, religion, gender, or other protected status, then you should report that incident.
• Try to note important information including license plate numbers of vehicles, identifying physical features including any tattoos, scars, distinctive clothing etc.

You should report any and all suspected or confirmed bias incidents to your local police department, or you also may report a bias incident to the NJ Attorney General’s Office online at nj.gov/oag/bias, via email to NJBIAS@NJDCJ.org, by calling the Bias Hotline at 800-277-BIAS (2427), or through the NJ Division of Civil Rights at bias.njcivilrights.gov.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Bias Crimes Liaison is Sergeant Michael Boone who can be reached at 973-837-7604 or Mboone@passaiccountynj.org

If you are interested in having the PCPO Bias Legal and Investigative Team present to your organization please contact Executive First Assistant Prosecutor Gina Pfund at 973-837-7697 or Gpfund@passaiccountynj.org