As hate crime numbers continue to rise in the city, the NYPD announced a new hate crime review panel to help police determine which cases should be investigated.

The new five-person hate crime review panel will weigh in on cases where proving intent is challenging. 

Devorah Halberstam, Fred Teng, Pia Raymond, Ed Powell and David Warren make up the civilian panel who will also send letters to the district attorney on whether they think certain crimes should be charged as hate crimes. 

The NYPD says hate crimes in the city are up 45% over last year and that possible bias incident against Asians are up 450%. 

The NYPD said the plan is to meet with the panel in person monthly and virtually every two weeks. 

The NYPD says they hope to create transparency and to gain different insights into these crimes.