If you thought hate groups only existed in other parts of the country, you're wrong. The KKK is right here at the Shore.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center's "hate map," there are 15 known hate groups in New Jersey.

Southern Poverty Lawn Center
Southern Poverty Law Center
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Local officials have confirmed that the Confederate White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan have a chapter in Toms River. While they are described as small and unorganized, they spew hate way too close to home.

There are chapters of this particular KKK group all over the country. They are widely known for being the most extreme and militant of all the KKK.

A report from Gannett New Jersey finds:

Crimes targeting Muslims and Jews in New Jersey have spiked upward. There were 13 bias crimes reported against Muslim New Jerseyans in 2011, nine in 2012, three in 2013, four in 2014 and 14 in 2015. Jewish New Jersey residents reported the most religiously motivated bias crimes at 113, Islamic residents reported 14 and other religions reported a total of six.

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