New York's attorney general has asked local law enforcement agencies statewide to be vigilant about identifying and reporting possible hate crimes in the wake of a highly bitter election.

Eric Schneiderman made the announcement Thursday surrounded by immigrants' rights advocates.

The Democrat says he sent local district attorneys and police chiefs a bulletin reminding them of state bias crime statutes and the need to report such claims.

In 2015, the FBI reported Monday that hate crimes against Muslims in the U.S. rose to their highest number since the 9/11 attacks. That calendar year included terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California.

After the California shootings, Republican President-elect Donald Trump called for a moratorium on Muslims entering the U.S.

"Sadly, in recent days, we have seen a surge in bias attacks and hate crimes across the nation, including some right here in New York," says Schneiderman.

Schneiderman met with local police, community and religious leaders in Mineola Thursday. He assured them his office is ready to protect and defend the constitutional and civil rights of all New Yorkers.