During 2021, in the state of California, 1,763 bias events were recorded, which meant that reported hate crimes in California increased 32.6 percent from 2020 to 2021, finding it at its highest reported level since 2001.
According to the 2021 California Hate Crimes Report released by the state attorney general, Rob BontaThe report noted that these types of crimes reported against African Americans or people of African descent continue to be the most frequent, increasing by 12.5 percent, from 456 in 2020 to 513 in 2021.
Meanwhile, reported hate crime events against the Asian community again increased dramatically, growing 177.5 percent from 2020 to 2021 from 89 to 247; while those related to a sexual orientation bias also increased significantly, up 47.8 percent from 205 to 303 over the same period.
Anti-Hispanic or Latino bias events increased 29.6 percent, growing from 152 in 2020 to 197 in 2021.
Among hate crime events involving a religious bias, those with an anti-Jewish bias were the most frequent and rose 32.2 percent from 115 in 2020 to 152 in 2021.
The document states that, in that period, the number of cases filed for prosecution by district attorneys and elected municipal prosecutors related to hate crime charges increased by 30.1 percent.
Amidst this increase in hate crime events, Bonta urged local partners and law enforcement to review the resources currently highlighted and recommit to taking action.
Through a statement, the attorney general detailed that he continues to bring together law enforcement, elected leaders and community organizations at the local level throughout the state to help increase awareness of available resources and strengthen responses to hate crimes in California.
In turn, Bonta formally announced the creation of a statewide hate crimes coordinator position within the California Department of Justice's Criminal Law Division to further assist state and local law enforcement in combating hate crimes.
"Today's report shows without a doubt that the hate epidemic we saw unleashed during the pandemic remains a clear and present threat," Bonta said. "In fact, reported hate crimes have reached a level we have not seen in California since the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks."
"We will continue to work with our local law enforcement partners and community organizations to ensure that all Californians feel seen, heard and protected. While there is no single solution, it is up to all of us to heed the call, because when our communities feel empowered, they step up. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we stand together: there is no place for hate in California," he stressed.
The California Department of Justice has collected and reported statewide data on hate crimes since 1995. Under California law, a hate crime is a criminal act committed in whole or in part because of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with someone with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
Hate crimes are distinct from hate incidents, which are hate-motivated actions or behaviors that may be protected by the First Amendment right to free speech.
Examples of hate incidents include insults and distribution of hate material in public places. If a hate incident begins to threaten a person or property, it can become a hate crime.
Historically, hate crime data has been underreported and the California Department of Justice recognizes that the data presented in its reports may not adequately reflect the actual number of hate crime-related events occurring in the state.
However, he specified that it is important to keep in mind that the total number of hate crime events reported in 2021 is the sixth highest ever recorded and the highest since hate crime events spiked in 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks.
This publication was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
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