Wednesday, July 02, 2025
Violent crime down in Mass. but anti-Jewish hate crimes spiked last year, new data shows
Overall and violent crime rates continued a downward trend in Massachusetts last year, according to new data released by the state, however there was one glaring and troubling increase -- anti-Jewish hate crimes, which spiked more than 20% in 2024.
For the first time since the state began tracking in 1991, the preliminary data released Tuesday shows that anti-Jewish bias incidents surpassed anti-Black incidents as the most reported hate crime in the Bay State.
Massachusetts also experienced an increase in anti-transgender bias incidents.
Some of the positive highlights from the data include:
Homicides decreased by 11.4% with 132 reported incidents. This figure is below the five-year average of 146.
Robberies fell by 8.6%, aggravated assaults dropped by 5.7%, and motor vehicle thefts saw a sharp decrease of 16.1%.
Fraud-related offenses, including identity theft and welfare fraud, experienced double-digit declines.
"This new data is encouraging and reflects the important work that law enforcement and community partners do day in and day out to keep the people of Massachusetts safe," Gov. Maura Healey said in a press release. "We know there is always more work to be done, and we remain committed to bringing people together to continue to enhance public safety in communities across the state."
Healey said her administration is deeply committed to embracing diversity, upholding its values, and combatting incidents of hate crimes. This is being done through numerous key initiatives, including launching the State Police Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team (HART), the awarding of over $15.5 million in security grants for high-risk nonprofits and hosting statewide educational forums and seminars for law enforcement and faith-based organizations. The Legislative Task Force on Hate Crimes also continues to advise the administration as it advances efforts to promote justice, equity and civil rights protections statewide.
The Anti-Defamation League of New England is also monitoring the situation closely, and an audit shows antisemitic incidents in the region (not including Connecticut) last year broke all previous annual records for the fifth year in a row. According to the ADL, of 638 acts of assault and vandalism targeting Jewish communities in New England in 2024, 438 of them were recorded in Massachusetts, making it the fifth-highest number of incidents per state in the country following New York, California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
There were 53 incidents in New Hampshire, 52 in Rhode Island, 51 in Maine and 44 in Vermont.
"The persistent increase in antisemitic incidents over the past five years is a stark reminder that antisemitism continues to impact our communities," Samantha Joseph, ADL New England's Regional Director, said in a press release. "Particularly concerning is the continued proliferation of extremist incidents and the rise of attacks against Orthodox Jews. The alarming manifestations of antisemitism in 2024 instill fear and are reminders that much work remains to be done."
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