The Washington County District Attorney's Office is dedicated to seeking justice and protecting our community. Over the past few years, this office has seen an increase in bias/hate crime case referrals by law enforcement. These crimes are not only on the rise in Oregon, but nationally as well. 

To combat this trend, this office was awarded $300,000 in competitive grant funding. The funding, provided by the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program Grant administered by the United States Department of Justice, will enable this office to launch a new Bias Crime Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). The MDT will consist of members from law enforcement agencies and community partner organizations. The team will meet regularly to discuss and implement strategies to combat bias and hate crime, including trainings, education, and outreach events. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown, who has extensive experience prosecuting cases with vulnerable crime victims, will Chair the MDT. 

Additionally, this funding will allow this office to support victim advocate positions dedicated to serving bias crime victims. These advocates will support the complex needs of these crime victims. 

This office wishes to thank the following agencies and organizations for their support in this endeavor: the Washington County Law Enforcement Council, the Washington County Family Justice Center, the Sexual Assault Resource Center, El Programa Hispano Catolico, African Youth and Community Organization, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, and Immigration and Refugee Community Organization.