Hate Crimes

In Iowa, hate crime means one of the following public offenses when committed against a person or a person's property because of the person's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability, or the person's association with a person of a certain race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability:

1. Assault in violation of individual rights under section 708.2C.

2. Violations of individual rights under section 712.9.

3. Criminal mischief in violation of individual rights under section 716.6A.

4. Trespass in violation of individual rights under section 716.8, subsections 3 and 4.

What Should You Do If You Are the Victim of, or Witness to, a Hate Crime?

Report the incident to the Ames Police Department. Call 911, if you are in immediate danger.  If not, call the non-emergency number, 515-239-5133.

The Ames Human Relations Commission also investigates discrimination complaints. 

Helpful Links:

Iowa State University Police Department, Hate Crimes

Iowa Civil Rights Commission