SANTA ANA, Calif. (October 7, 2020) — On October 20, 2020, the public is invited to participate virtually in the release of the Orange County 2019 Hate Crimes Report, where the Orange County Human Relations Commission will present Orange County hate activity trends for 2019. To increase awareness, strengthen hate crime prevention programming, and promote a bias-free community, the County produces and publishes this hate crimes report annually.
The 2019 Hate Crimes Report reflects a decrease in hate incidents but increase in hate crimes from 2018 in Orange County, with the most frequently reported hate crime being motivated by targets of race, ethnicity, and/or national origin, followed by religion.
“In 2019, there were 83 reported hate crimes in Orange County, a 24% increase from 2018. Of the cases motivated by race, ethnicity and national origin, 53% were driven by anti-black racism. Of the cases motivated by religion, 52% were driven by anti-Semitism,” said Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Second District Supervisor. “Orange County is working to provide the resources law enforcement needs to prevent these crimes. Now more than ever is it important for Orange County to come together and respect all people regardless of their background.”
Report Release Information:
| Date |
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 |
| Time |
5-6:30 p.m. |
| Location |
Webinar via Zoom |
| Speakers |
Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Orange County Board of Supervisors; Dr. Brian Levin, Professor at California State University, San Bernardino and Director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism |
| Registration Link |
http://bit.ly/2019hatecrimesreport; Registration closes October 16 at 12 p.m. |
The Orange County 2019 Hate Crimes Report will also be available online upon release on the OC Human Relations Commission website at http://occommunityservices.org/ochrc.
The County of Orange would like to thank the Orange County Human Relations Commission who are volunteer members of the public appointed by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to seek out the causes of tension and conflict; discrimination and intolerance based on race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or marital status; and attempt to eliminate those causes.
The County of Orange would also like to thank the Orange County Human Relations Council, which is contracted by the County to support the Commission and work closely with law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, diverse faith leaders, and community members to respond and track hate crimes and incidents on behalf of the County.
To learn more about services provided by the County through the OC Human Relations Commission, please visit occommunityservices.org/ochrc.
