NYC Mayor appoints Hassan Naveed to head hate crime prevention office

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NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced October 19, 2022, the appointment of Hassan Naveed as the executive director of the New York City Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC). As executive director, Naveed will oversee the office’s interagency efforts to combat hate crimes using community-based programs and provide support to victims of such crimes, a press release from the Mayor’s office said.

“Diversity is our city’s secret weapon, and we will never tolerate any form of hate because hate has no place here,” Mayor Adams said. “Combatting the scourge of hate, whether against our AAPI+ community, our Jewish brothers and sisters, our LGBTQ+ population, or any other community that calls this city home, requires a holistic, evidence-based approach.”

“Hassan Naveed is a dedicated, compassionate leader who has a strong track record of bringing communities together, and I am proud to appoint him to lead this crucial office,” the Mayor added.

Several other top city officials echoed the Mayor’s sentiments and expressed confidence in Naveed.

“I am honored to receive this appointment, and grateful to Mayor Eric Adams for this opportunity,” Naveed is quoted saying in the press release. “I look forward to continuing the city’s efforts to fight bigotry, hate, and discrimination, and work alongside city agencies, law enforcement, and community organizations to build a more inclusive and welcoming New York City for all,” he added.

“The recent spike of anti-Asian hate attacks, especially against the South Asian community here in Queens, is alarming and must be addressed,” said New York State Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson. “I applaud the appointment of Hassan Naveed at OPHC to empower and educate our city against bigotry and hate of all forms.”

“This administration is the most dedicated in history to ending hate crimes. I have made combatting hate against people of every religion and ethnicity a top priority, and Mayor Adams has always provided full support,” said Indian-American Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar.

“When a Hindu temple in my district was vandalized twice, the mayor came personally to denounce the incidents, bringing national attention to the issue,” said. “When a woman was assaulted in a racially motivated hate crime in my district, the city’s Office of Criminal Justice Director Deanna Logan came to help.”

Rajkumar praised the Mayor’s ‘Breaking Bread, Building Bonds’ program which she said, brings together people of every background..

Naveed’s appointment continues the Mayor’s promise to prevent hate crimes

“Mr. Naveed has devoted his career to promoting the safety and welfare of diverse communities, first in the NYPD and now the OPHC. At a time when hate crimes are up 116 percent compared to 2020, Mr. Naveed will provide the leadership needed for every New Yorker to have respect and safety. I look forward to working with him to end hate in our city,” Rajkumar said.

Leaders of several Asian American and other ethnic minority groups, also endorsed Naveed’s appointment, including Aniqa Nawabi, executive director of the Muslim Community Network, who described Naveed as “a community leader, facilitator, and subject matter expert on issues pertaining to community safety and how to resolve safety concerns with the communities’ input.”

Naveed, who had been serving as ‘acting executive director’ of the department, will now head it.

He previously served as director of outreach at the New York City Department of Investigation’s Office of Inspector General for the New York City Police Department (OIG-NYPD). Prior to OIG-NYPD, Naveed led community efforts in Washington, D.C., that worked to improve hate crime responses and prevention by the local police department involving the LGBTQ+, Muslim, immigrant, and other communities.

Naveed earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his Master of Public Administration from New York University.