NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Hate crimes in Tennessee jumped in 2011, rising 51 percent above 2010 levels.
According to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation there were 261 recorded hate crimes last year.
Hate crime statistics tend to fluctuate a lot from year to year. There were 426 in 2008, 243 in 2009 and 173 in 2010.
Here in Middle Tennessee, hate crimes were reported in the cities of Clarksville, Manchester, Gallatin, Lebanon, Nashville and Spring Hill.
Hate crimes were also reported in Wilson, Maury County and Rutherford counties, as well as at Columbia State Community College and Middle Tennessee State University.