HILLSBORO, Ore.- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office has been awarded $300,000 in competitive grant funding intended to combat a rise in bias/hate crimes. Incidents of bias crimes are increasing not only nationally, but in Oregon as well, a trend this office has observed over the past two years. 

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 federal grant allows us to pursue our mission of seeking justice and protecting our community by ensuring all Washington County residents are safe from crime, especially including bias and hate crime. As District Attorney, I am committed to protecting all members of our community,” said DA Barton.

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.