Jul 24, 2008 12:55 pm US/Pacific
Hate Crimes Reach 5-Year High In L.A. County
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
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The most common hate crimes in Los Angeles County were motivated by race, according to a report released Thursday by the county's human relations commision.
AP
Hate crimes in Los Angeles County soared last year to their highest mark in five years even as overall crime dropped across the region.
A report obtained by The Associated Press shows increases in several categories, with more hate crimes reported based on race, sexual orientation and religion. The report is being published Thursday by the county's human relations commission.
In all, hate crimes increased 28 percent, to 763 last year from 594 in 2006. The most common hate crimes were those motivated by race, with 310 committed against black people and 125 against Latinos. However, crimes in which anti-immigrant slurs were used dropped slightly.
Gangs are a factor in many hate crimes. In all, 16 percent of hate crimes in 2007 were committed by gang members. The study shows gang members committed 120 hate crimes last year, reflecting an increase of 14 percent from 2006.
The extent to which race is driving the area's gang crisis is a subject of ongoing debate. Sheriff Lee Baca has said he considers it a major factor, while Los Angeles police Chief William Bratton and other officials downplay suggestions of racial tension.
The report notes friction between black and Latino residents continues to be a major factor driving hate crimes. There were 116 non-gang-related hate crimes committed by Latinos on blacks and 26 such crimes committed by blacks on Latinos.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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