Overall bias crimes rose by 2 percent, to 384 from 374.

The police are investigating the case as a possible bias crime.

Since last year a law has required the police to report some bias crimes.

The authorities have classified the case as a bias crime.

During the same period the overall number of bias crimes has dropped 3 percent, to 368 from 381, he said.

The police said they were investigating the incident as a bias crime.

The police department labeled the fire a possible bias crime.

There has never been a report of a bias crime in the town.

Others, however, question the whole idea of making bias crimes into a special category.

Whether they will face charges for a bias crime has yet to be determined, he said.