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LOS ANGELES COUNTY COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS

SUMMARY OF 1998 HATE CRIME REPORT

The Commission received reports of 769 hate crimes that occurred in 1998, a 6.2% decrease from 1997.

Hate crimes taking place in school environments totaled 46. All but two cases were reported by law enforcement rather than schools themselves. Racial hate crimes occurring at schools rose from 19 to 29. Elementary, middle, and high school had almost equal numbers of reports.

More than 50% of all hate crime cases filed were against minors, as in 1997.

Geographical clusters of hate crime were much less pronounced than in 1997.

Hate crime victims were most frequently targeted because of their race (436 cases) or sexual orientation (226 cases). African Americans continue to be the largest group of racial hate crime victims, but there were about 20% less racial hate crimes against African Americans and Whites in 1998 compared to 1997.

Hate crimes against Lesbian victims increased almost 20%.

While the total number of racial hate crimes went down by 11% in 1998, the number of such crimes against Latinos, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Middle Easterners increased.

1 gender-based hate crime and, notably, four disability based hate crimes were reported, categories which have only rarely had reports in previous years. The Commission believes that such crimes occur in much greater numbers, but are not reported.

Anti-immigrant slurs were made in the course of 29 hate crimes. Again, as in 1997, the targets were from 6 different racial and ethnic groups. Latinos were the most frequent victims (37.9%).

For the first time Middle Eastern persons were victims in a significant portion (20.7%) of anti-immigrant hate crimes.

Crimes included 2 murders, 4 attempted murders, 3 kidnapings, and 3 rapes.

Hate crimes most often occurred in public places and at residences. Crimes at religious sites more than tripled, from 5 to 17.

II. PERSPECTIVES

The Commission on Human Relations' reports of bias-related criminal acts in Los Angeles County are not only records of what happened during a given calendar year. Rather, they can and do lead to better understanding of intergroup conflict. In recent years the reports have contributed to increased hate crime investigation and prosecution, victim support by municipalities and community organizations, and public consciousness.

769 hate crimes were reported for 1998, down from 820 for 1997. This is the second consecutive year of decreased hate crimes reports. Although the decrease is modest (6.2%), it is a positive development. However, the decline in hate crimes is less than the decrease in total violent crime throughout the region.

Most of the decrease occurred in crimes motivated by hatred of the victim's race or ethnicity. Those crimes were down 10.8% from 1997. Crimes motivated by hate of the victim's religion or sexual orientation varied much less from the prior year's levels. Similar to crime in general, there is a correlation between the reduction in racial/ethnic conflict, which has been a primary focus for this Commission, and lowered unemployment rates for young males.

Prosecution data (Section X) reflect continued rigorous efforts by the District Attorney's Hate Crime Unit. Their data reinforce the general perception that juveniles are heavily over- represented as perpetrators of hate crimes. We believe that a deeper focus on the youth population is warranted. Over the past year this Commission has become part of a Countywide collaborative known commonly as "SE 1095 Task Force." This collaborative aims to provide comprehensive assessment and diversionary services, including human relations programs, for juvenile offenders.

While the overall data trend is encouraging, some 1998 findings indicate that expanded inquiry and action are needed in certain areas:

Increased Hate Crime in Schools: There were 46 reports of hate crimes in school environments. Only 3 of these reports came from school reporting systems. Reports of campus violence from law enforcement agencies may indicate that more severe conflicts are not reported by school administrators.
Upsurge in Hate Crimes Against Lesbians: Violence against Lesbian women increased sharply. Just as gay bashing against male homosexuals historically has a pattern of greater violence than crimes against other victim categories, this is true of Lesbian victims as well. Sixty percent of the crimes against Lesbians were battery, assault, assault with a deadly weapon, rape, or kidnaping.
Absence in Hate Crime Reporting: Some housing authorities and municipalities, most secondary schools, and colleges and universities report few hate crimes, if any, or do not provide hate crime reports to this Commission. These are jurisdictions where some level of hate crime reporting would be anticipated. The absence of data is disappointing, since it likely reflects the absence of response systems.
Hate Crimes Against Persons with Disabilities: Four hate crimes against persons with disabilities were reported. Although this is a small number, it is notable since reporting has been virtually non-existent. This Commission, in collaboration with the County Commission on Disabilities, has conducted hate crime awareness meetings with every independent living center in the County. The 1998 increase in reporting may be related to that call for increased emphasis on disability hate crimes.
Hate Crimes Against Middle Easterners: Twenty reported hate crimes targeted Middle Eastern victims. Because destabilized international affairs can result in negative public sentiment and action against persons of Middle Eastern background, this Commission is monitoring this area of concern.
Los Angeles County Hate Crime Rate Exceeds National Rate: As the graph on page vi shows, Los Angeles County's hate crimes rate from 1994 -1997 is much higher than the national rate. When law enforcement agencies reports are analyzed with the populations of the jurisdictions, in 1997 Los Angeles County had 92 hate crimes per million persons, compared to 46 for the nation.

The decrease in total reported hate crimes occurs at a time when the two largest law enforcement agencies in the County, the Sheriff's Department and the LAPD, instituted more comprehensive hate crime investigative procedures. The Commission believes that the decrease may be a positive sign that its efforts to combat hate crime are productive. The Commission is also encouraged by the District Attorney's expansion of his office's Hate Crime Prosecution Unit.

In past reporting, this Commission expressed concern about the geographic clustering of hate crimes, which pointed to neighborhood intergroup tensions. Although the phenomenon of clusters remains, the incidence of reported hate crimes has declined significantly in many of the areas. These neighborhoods have been targeted for intervention by the Commission, municipal and local human relations organizations, local schools, community based organizations and law enforcement agencies. Local collaborative efforts appear to have made a difference. The Commission will continue to study these data in collaboration with social scientists at the University of Hawaii and California State University at Los Angeles. This study has identified hate crime patterns that will be used to identify ways of improving responses.

SUMMARY DATA

TOTAL CASES: 769 hate crimes were reported for 1998, a decrease of 6.2% from the prior year.

INCIDENCE BY HATE CATEGORIES

Of the hate categories - race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and disability - race again accounted for the most cases, 436 out of 769.

Crimes based on the target's real or perceived sexual orientation were the second most numerous, 226.

102 religious hate crimes were reported.

1 gender-based hate crime and 4 hate crimes against persons with disabilities were reported. The Commission believes that such crimes occur in much greater numbers, but are not reported.

Hate Category	1997	1998	% of total	% change from 1997
Race	489	436	56.7	-10.8%
Religion	108	102	13.3%	-5.6%
Sexual Orientation	220	226	29.4%	2.7%
Disability	0	4	0.5%	N/A
Gender	3	1	0.1%	-66.7%
Total	820	769		-6.2%

INCIDENCE BY TARGETED GROUP

Of the 1998 racial hate crimes, those against Latinos and Middle Eastern persons showed the highest percentage increases (18.4% and 81.8%, respectively).

29 anti-immigrant hate crimes occurred, a 7.4% increase over 1997. In 37.9% of these cases the targets were Latino; in 20.7% they were Middle Eastern.

While Jewish individuals and organizations were once again the targets of most religious-hate crimes, crimes against Christian denominations more than doubled (from 4 to 10).

Hate crimes against Lesbians increased 18.4%, from 38 to 45.

Victims	1997	1998	%of total	% Change from 1997
Race	489	436	56.7%	-10.8%
Asian/Pacific	32	33	4.3%	3.1%
African American	273	219	28.5%	-19.8%
Latino	76	90	11.7%	18.4%
Middle Eastern	11	20	2.6%	81.8%
White	89	72	9.4%	-19.1%
Religion
Jewish	100	86	11.2%	-14.0%
Sexual Orientation
Gay Men	181	173	22.5%	-4.4%
Lesbians	38	45	5.9%	18.4%
Other	17	26	3.4%	52.9%
Total	820	769		-6.2%

INCIDENCE BY CRIMINAL OFFENSE

Arsons, which increased 183.3% in 1997, dropped 94.1% in 1998.

Murders and attempted murders dropped from 9 to 6. Rape increased from 1 to 3.

Crime	1997	1998	% of total	% Change from 1997
Assualt w/Deadly Weapon	135	122	15.9%	-9.6%
Assault / Battery	247	196	25.5%	-20.6%
Arson/Attempt Arson	17	1	0.1%	-94.1%
Annoying Phone Call	29	35	4.6%	20.7%
Bomb Threat	5	5	0.7%	0
Brandishing	6	10	1.3%	66.7%
Burglary	10	11	1.4%	10.0%
Criminal Threats	134	163	21.1%	21.6%
Cross-Burning	0	1	0.1%	N/A
Disturbing the Peace	11	7	0.9%	-36.4%
Kidnaping	0	3	0.4%	N/A
Murder/Attempt Murder	9	6	0.8%	-33.3%
Rape	1	3	0.4%	200.0%
Robbery/Attempt Robbery	21	21	2.7%	0
Sexual Assault	2	2	0.3%	0
Vandalism	152	154	20.0%	1.3%
Other	41	29	3.8%	-29.3%
Total	820	769		-6.2%

INCIDENCE BY LOCATION

Again, as in 1997, public places were the most common hate crime sites, followed by residences. Schools became a more common site for hate crimes, increasing by 15% over 1997.

Hate crimes at religious sites more than tripled, from 5 to 17.

Location	1997	1998	%of total	% Change from 1997
Business	129	117	15.2%	-9.3%
Gay/Lesbian Org	1	4	0.5%	300.0%
Public Place	385	350	45.5%	-9.1%
Religious Site	5	17	2.2%	240.0%
Residence	260	234	30.4%	-10.0%
School	40	46	6.0%	15.0%
Other	0	1	0.1%	N/A
Total	820	769		-6.2%

IV. RACIAL HATE CRIMES

While African Americans continue to be the most frequent targets of racial hate crimes, crimes against Latinos have increased 18.4% and crimes against Middle Eastern persons went up 81.8%.

The 6 hate crime murders and attempted murders in 1998 were based on race hate.

Racial hate arsons and attempted arsons dropped by 93.8%, from 16 to 1. Most racial hate crimes again occurred in public places and residences, as was the case in 1997.

Racial hate crimes occurring at schools rose from 19 to 29.

The greatest number of racial hate crime perpetrators were Latino males (107) and White males (100).

In March, in Jefferson Park (Los Angeles), a White male teacher was called a ''honky'' by a Black male and threatened with a beating.

In June, in Sun Valley, a White female threw a chemical on a Mexican male and called him a ''beaner.''

In June, racial graffiti was found in the men's room of the El Segundo Police Department. The graffiti called one officer a ''f----- nigger cop,'' and threatened to kill him.

Victims of Racial Hate Crime	1997	1998	%of total	% Change from 1997
African American	273	219	50.2%	-19.8%
Asian/Pacific	32	33	7.6%	3.1%
Latino White	76	90	20.6%	18.4%
Middle	11	20	4.6%	81.8%
Eastern	89	72	16.5%	-19.1%
Other	8	2	0.5%	-75.0%
Total	489	436		-10.8%

Perpetrators of Racial Hate Crimes	1997	1998	% of total	% Change from 1997
African American Female	10	19	4.4%	90.0%
African Am. Male	55	57	13.1%	3.6%
African Am.Gender Unknown	0	3	0.7%	N/A
Asian Male	9	10	2.3%	11.1%
Latino Female	12	5	1.1%	-58.3%
Latino Male	151	107	24.5%	-29.1%
Latino, Gender Unknown	1	1	0.2%	0
Middle Eastern Male	3	1	0.2%	-66.7%
White Female	13	17	3.9%	30.8%
White Male	109	100	22.9%	-8.3%
White, Gender Unknown	0	1	0.2%	N/A
Race Unknown, Female	5	0	0	-100.0%
Race Unknown, Male	14	25	5.7%	78.6%
Race & Gender Unknown	107	90	20.6%	-15.9%
Total	489	436		-10.8%

PERPETRATORS

VICTIMS

	African American	Asian/ Pacific	Latino	Middle Eastern	White	Other	Total Perpetrat ors
African American Male	--	2	26	1	28	--	57 (13.1%)
African American Female	2*	1	10	--	6	--	19 (4.4%)
African American, Gender Unknown	--	1	2	--	--	--	3 (0.7%)
Asian/Pacific Male	3	--	4	1	2	--	10 (2.3%)
Latino Male	70	9	8*	5	14	1	107 (24.5%)
Latino Female	5	--	--	--	--	--	5 (1.1%)
Latino, Gender Unknown	1	--	--	--	--	--	1 (0.2%)
Middle Eastern Male	1	--	--	--	--	--	1 (0.2%)
White Male	63	6	19	6	6*	--	100 (22.9%)
White Female	13	--	1	1	2*	--	17 (3.9%)
White, Gender Unknown	--	--	1	--	--	--	1 (0.2%)
Male, Race Unknown	12	--	7	3	2	1	25 (5.7%)
Unknown Race/ Gender	49	14	12	3	12	--	90 (20.6%)
Total Victims	219 (50.2%)	33 (7.6%)	90 (20.6%)	20 (4.6%)	72 (16.5%)	2 (0.5%)	436


	* Most intragroup hate crimes, e.g. Latino on Latino, were triggered by the victims' friendship(s) with persons of other ethnicities or races.

RELIGIOUS HATE CRIMES

Religious hate crimes often target multiple victims. Vandalism at a place of worship, for instance, is an attack on a congregation.

While Jewish individuals and groups again were the most frequent targets, attacks on Christian denominations more than doubled, from 4 to 10.

Religious hate crimes included assualts and attempted assualts, bomb threats, and rape.

Vandalism continues to be the most frequent religious hate crime, increasing 21.7% from the prior year.

Religious hate crimes at places of business, public places, and schools decreased in 1998; those at religious sites and residences increased.

Because so many religious hate crimes are vandalism, the race and gender of 62.7% of perpetrators are unknown. Of religious hate crime perpetrators whose gender is known, 63.2% were Whites males.

In January, in Los Angeles, a Jewish man was hit with a billy club and fists by a Black man and called a ''rich Jew.''

In January, a Hindu Temple in Glendale was vandalized by a Chinese man who was planning to start a racist hate group.

Victims of Religious Hate Crime	1997	1998	% of Total	% Change from 1997
Christian Denomination	4	10	9.8%	150.0%
Jewish	100	86	84.3%	-14.0%
Muslim	1	2	2.0%	100.0%
Other	3	4	3.9%	33.3%
Total	108	102		-5.6%

Perpetrators of Religious Hate Crimes	1997	1998	% of Total	% Change from 1997
African American Male	1	4	3.9%	300.0%
Asian Male	0	1	1.0%	N/A
Latino Male	0	1	1.0%	N/A
Latino, Gender Unknown	1	0	0	100.0%
Middle Eastern Male	1	1	1.0%	0
White Female	4	2	2.0%	-50.0%
White Male	29	24	23.5%	-17.2%
Race Unknown, Female	2	1	1.0%	-50.0%
Race Unknown, Male	13	4	3.9%	-69.2%
Race & Gender Unknown	57	64	62.7%	12.3%
Total	108	102		-5.6%

SEXUAL ORIENTATION HATE CRIMES
Hate of target's actual or perceived sexual orientation accounted for 226 hate crimes in 1998, up slightly from 220 in 1997.
Among the criminal offenses were 116 assaults and attempted assaults, 2 kidnapings, and 2 rapes or attempted rapes.
4 hate crimes took place at Gay or Lesbian organizations, up from 1 in 1997.
Of the perpetrators whose genderwas known, 170 were males. Of those, 59 were Latinos, 47 were White, and 40 were Black.

In January, in Hollywood, Gay Latino man was kidnaped by a White man, tied with rope, burned with cigarettes, and tortured.

In January, a White man was struck by a Black female MTA driver in West Hollywood, and subjected to anti-Gay, anti-AIDS, and racist epithets.

In June, in Los Angeles, a Latino man attempted to rape a Latina Lesbian, saying ''you don't know what you're missing by not being with a man.''

Victims of Sexual Orientation Hate Crime	1997	1998	% of Total	% Change from 1997
Gay men	181	173	76.5%	-4.4%
Lesbian	38	45	19.9%	18.4%
Gay/Lesbian Organization	1	2	0.9%	100.0%
Transgender	0	6	2.7%	N/A
Total	220	226		2.7%

Perpetrators of Sexual Orientation Hate Crime	1997	1998	% of Total	% Change from 1997
African American Female	4	5	2.2%	25.0%
African American Male	26	40	17.7%	53.8%
African American Gender Unknown	1	0	0	-100.0%
Asian Male	2	8	3.5%	300.0%
Latino Female	3	3	1.3%	0
Latino Male	66	59	26.1%	-10.6%
Latino, Gender Unknown	0	1	0.4%	N/A
Middle Eastern Female	0	1	0.4%	N/A
Middle Eastern Male	5	2	0.9%	-60.0%
White Female	7	7	3.1%	0
White Male	65	47	20.8%	-27.7%
White, Gender Unknown	1	0	0	-100.0%
Multiple Races Female	1	0	0	-100.0%
Multiple Races Male	7	1	0.4%	-85.7%
Race Unknown, Female	0	3	1.3%	N/A
Race Unknown, Male	15	13	5.8%	-13.3%
Race & Gender Unknown	17	36	15.9%	111.8%
Total	220	226		2.7%


	Nineteenth Annual Report to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations 320 West Temple Street, Suite 1184 213-974-7611


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	23041 Avenida de la Carlota Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Phone: 949 586-6640