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LA Sheriff Resumes Stepped Up Patrols Of Asian American Churches

By Robert Garrova
Published May 28, 2020 4:25 PM
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The L.A. County Sheriff's Department is once again stepping up patrols of Asian American churches during the pandemic.

The increased patrols had started earlier this year. Then the stay-at-home orders pretty much closed churches down.

Now that houses of worship are getting the go-ahead to reopen, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said deputies will resume those patrols.

He made the announcement during an online forum about coronavirus-related hate crimes against Asian Americans.

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“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about new challenges to law enforcement. Unfortunately, ignorant members of the community want to lay blame on our Asian American community after China was reported to be the epicenter of the new virus.”

Despite the concerns, so far the Sheriff’s Department has only recorded one COVID-19 related anti-Asian hate crime in L.A. County this year, according to Lt. Andrew Meyer of the Major Crimes Bureau -- although many have experienced such crimes, as LAist has reported.

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