Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Hate Crimes in OC Jumped 14 Percent

hatecrimes.jpg
Hate crime via Shutterstock

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.

Hate crimes in Orange County jumped 14 percent last year after it going down four years in a row, according to an annual report from OC Human Relations.

In 2011, there were 64 documented hate crimes reported, which is up from 56 in 2010. But 2011 still had fewer reported hate crimes than 2009 (77) or 2008 (101). Here are some more stats that we culled from the City News Service and Orange County Register write-ups of the report:

  • African-americans are a major target of hate crime in OC. While blacks make up only 2 percent of the population in OC, they made up 30 percent of hate crimes targets.
  • Hate crimes against religious groups were up overall. Most of the targets are Jewish and Muslim, but hate crimes against Muslims have been on a downward slide in recent years: there were seven this year, which is one less than the year before.
  • Hate crimes involving sexual orientation were up, too, but the commission assumes that these crimes are largely underreported. There were seven last year, which is two more from the year before.
  • Most cases aren't violent. Out of 64 incidents, 34 were acts of vandalism.
  • 27 of these cases were referred for prosecution to the DA's office. 11 were filed as hate crimes and 10 resulted in a guilty plea.
  • OC Human Relations has put out this report for 20 years.Related:
    Hate Crimes and 'Incidents' Against Blacks and Muslims Up in Orange County

    You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

    Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

    If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

    Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
    Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

    Make your tax-deductible year-end gift today

    A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right