What promotes hate crimes?

Welfare cuts in which a group of people are blamed for living off of the governments money. The problems of society are being blamed on the target group. This is also a phenomenon known as scapegoating.
Integration of neighborhoods and schools. When there is integration in neighborhoods sometimes property values fluctuate, which is blamed on minority. Cultural differences is another example of segregation throughout neighborhoods.
Deep seated racial hatred due to scapegoating. There are the "us" and the "them" groups. The "us" group blames everything that happens on the "them" group.
Media stereotyping. Quite often the media persuades the audience to think a certain way about a group of people before the truth is out.
Economic and job scarcity leading to a competition between two or more groups of individuals.
Scapegoating immigrants for current or past policy disputes between countries.
Poor police response to hate crimes.

"Hate crimes are uniquely destructive and divisive because they injure not only the immediate victims, but the community and sometimes the nation."
-Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy