Hate Crimes On The Rise In L.A.
The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations issued its annual Hate Crime Report for 2014. There was an increase from the previous year in the number of reported hate crimes in Los Angeles County. The majority of hate crimes were in metro Los Angeles (Boyle Heights, Downtown, Echo Park, Koreatown, West Hollywood, Silverlake and Hollywood).
Eighty percent of hate crimes in 2014 targeted black, LGBT, and Jewish populations. Half of all hate crimes were racially motivated, with African-Americans composing the majority. The number of violent crimes also rose. Of all hate crimes against transgender people, 93% were violent. Religiously motivated crimes also rose with increased reports of anti-Semitic crimes.
While the total number of hate crimes rose, the number of hate crimes in LA County is still relatively low. Crimes in 2014 totaled 389, the second-lowest number in the last 25 years.
If you have been victim of a hate crime, contact the Los Angeles County Sherriff's office.