In response to the alleged false reporting of a hate crime by two Parker women, the Anti-Defamation League today expressed concern.

Scott L. Levin, ADL Mountain States Regional Director, issued the following statement:

The Anti-Defamation League is concerned about the alleged false reporting of a hate crime in Parker, Colorado.

False reporting of hate crimes wastes law enforcement’s time and resources and diverts law enforcement away from investigating legitimate complaints of hate crimes. When people make false claims of being victims of hate crimes, they take advantage of sympathetic community members and of the media.

Hate crimes are a serious problem.  They have an impact far beyond the individual victim of the crime. When a victim is chosen because of his or her actual or perceived sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin or disability, other members of the targeted group feel unsafe and unwelcome.  Hate crimes resonate throughout the victim’s community and threaten the safety and well-being of every member of that group.

ADL applauds the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for taking allegations of hate crimes seriously and is concerned that people would allegedly take advantage of law enforcement and the community in this way.