Hate crimes in Pittsburgh remain steady despite national rise

PITTSBURGH — The number of hate crimes recorded in Pittsburgh has stayed steady despite a nationwide increase.

According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, the city had 14 hate crimes in 2017, the most recent data available.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police reported the same number of hate crimes in 2015 and 2016 as well.

Nationwide, the report showed hate crimes are up around 17 percent.

The deadly shooting at Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill is the most prominent example here in southwestern Pennsylvania, but many people point to the outpouring of support that followed at what makes our area special.

"We've learned that it can happen here and we better understand it can happen again if we don't stay alert and take positive steps toward reporting things," Rep. Dom Costa, (D) Morningside, said.

11 Investigates reached ot to Pittsburgh Police and the FBI for comment on the newly released statistics, but both agencies declined to comment.

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