Hate Crimes

The Hate Crimes Unit is a dedicated division of the Macomb County Prosecutor’s office with a paramount mission – to evaluate and prosecute confirmed reports of hate crimes. Operating within the framework of Michigan state law, this unit focuses on addressing offenses committed against individuals or groups due to their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics. By collaborating with local communities, advocating for victims, and rigorously pursuing justice, the Hate Crimes Unit plays a pivotal role in fostering a safer and more inclusive environment in Michigan. Through its tireless efforts, the unit strives to deter hate-motivated incidents and uphold the principles of equality and justice for every member of the Macomb County community.

About the Unit

Chief Kurt Heise
Kurt.Heise@macombgov.org

hatecrimesPamphlet.pdf
hatecrimesPamphlet.pdf (12.85 MB)
Hand with a stop sign

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office is continuing proactive measures to address hate crimes. In 2022, Prosecutor Lucido established the county’s first-ever Hate Crimes Unit within the Prosecutor’s Office to address and prosecute hate crimes across Macomb County. Thanks to the support of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, the County has accepted Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crime Program Grant from the Department of Justice. This $800,000 grant award, successfully applied for by the Prosecutor’s Office, will be utilized over the next four years to fund a Principal Trial Attorney dedicated to the Hate Crimes Unit and to support community outreach initiatives.

“The idea that hate crimes do not concern us is dangerous. Discrimination anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We must act now to equip ourselves with the tools to combat hate,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.

Prosecutor Lucido appointed Macomb County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kurt Heise to lead the Hate Crimes Unit.  It is a Hate Crime when someone maliciously and intentionally does, or makes a true threat to do, any of the following: 

use force or violence against an individual, cause bodily injury, stalk, or damage the property of another based in whole or in part on that person’s actual or perceived characteristic relating to their:

• Race or Color Religion

• Sexual orientation

• Gender identity or expression

• Physical or mental disability

• Age Ethnicity

• National origin, or

• Being associated or affiliated with any of the above.

The Hate Crimes Unit is not only focused on prosecution but also aims to prevent future incidents by investing in resources and providing specialized training for law enforcement. Additionally, the Unit has launched a Hate Crimes Awareness Program titled, “Hate Crimes 101”, which seeks to educate the community about the nature of hate crimes, their impact on victims and communities, and the importance of reporting such incidents to law enforcement. 

During the presentation, Assistant Prosecutor Kurt Heise will discuss various aspects of hate crimes, including:

  • Definition and characteristics of hate crimes
  • Examples of hate-motivated offenses
  • Reporting procedures and resources available to victims

These presentations are both informative and enlightening, offering attendees an opportunity to ask questions and engage in meaningful dialogue about this important issue.

If you are interested in hosting a Hate Crimes 101 presentation or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact Heather Esposito at (586) 469-5642 or heather.esposito@macombgov.org. 

 For more information on Hate Crimes please visit https://www.macombgov.org/hate-crimes or call the Hate Crime Unit at (833) NO-MOR-H8 (666-6748)

This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA-23-GG-05368-HATE awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.