The Orange County District Attorney's Office has announced a partnership with the Jewish Federation of Orange County to help combat anti-Semitism and hate crimes.

District Attorney David Hoovler says the three-part program includes publicity materials, in-school presentations and additional training on hate crimes for local law enforcement. 

"You try to basically educate the public, you try to educate your students and younger adults because that helps with the future," said Hoovler. "You try to get your elected officials, then you have a special component for your law enforcement where you have to teach them how to handle these types of cases."

The initiative comes after an increase of hate-related incidents in the county, specifically the recent case of vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in Florida.

Officials say public awareness is the key to prevention for hate crimes, and hope these efforts help reverse a trend. 

“We know that people are not born hating other people, this is something that is learned in the home and in schools,” said Director of the Jewish Federation of Orange County Rabbi Rachel Rubenstein. "And if we can combat that at the beginning as young as we can, then I think we have a real hope for the future."

According to data from the Anti-Defamation League, anti-Semitic crimes rose 90 percent in New York state between 2016 and 2017 — the largest increase recorded by the organization. 

If you feel you've been the victim of a hate crime in Orange County, officials say to report immediately to your local police department or call the Orange County District Attorney's Hate Crime Hotline.