Annual Eugene Hate & Bias Report Shows Decrease In Incidents

By Melorie Begay

Published May 15, 2019 at 5:49 PM PDT

Eugene Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement analyst Fabio Andrade (left) speaks with Mayor Lucy Vinis at a media event for the Hate and Bias Report. The event took place inside the Eugene-Springfield NAACP's historic Mim's house.

Hate and Bias incidents in Eugene fell 42 percent last year according to the latest annual reportby the city. The report suggests there are several factors behind the decline.

2018 saw 81 incidents compared to 139 the year before. This could be because 2017 followed a contentious presidential campaign year. The report also points to stronger policing and community response against hate crimes. However, Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement analyst Fabio Andrade says there’s still concern over underreporting.

ANDRADE: “There are some national surveys that estimate that only maybe 20-40 percent of the cases are reported. We know that there are more cases happening because we hear stories throughout the community but we don’t get the reports."

Andrade says the city is working on increasing education and offering more support for Spanish speakers. In cases of noncriminal hate and bias incidents Latinos and Hispanics replaced African Americans as the most targeted group. In terms of hate crimes - which includes violence or the threat of violence- African Americans remain the most affected.