Bay Area takes top spot for California ‘hate crimes’ with 24 reports after launch of hotline

According to a recent report issued by the California Civil Rights Department, 180 hate crime incidents were reported within the first month of California launching its hate crime hotline, California vs. Hate Resource Line and Network. The hotline was launched in May in response to the reported increase in reported hate crimes, including against Asian-Americans.

Of those 180 incidents, 24, or around 13 percent, came from the Bay area, although a department spokesperson told the outlet that percentage is most likely to be higher because "not every report included information on the county." One recorded incident was reported in San Francisco County, the spokesperson told the SF Examiner.

California vs Hate states that examples of a "hate act" include "derogatory name calling, bullying, hate mail, and refusing service."

The report represented 10 of California's most populated areas which amounted to 40 percent of the state's overall counties. The majority of reports were made by victims of hate crime incidents, while one in six were reported by someone else. The hate incidents that were most frequently reported were race and ethnicity-based, followed by religion and sexual orientation.

In 2021, California recorded 1,763 hate crime incidents across the state. Between 2020 and 2021, the state saw a 33 percent increase in hate crimes, according to the California Civil Rights Department.

Kevin Kish, the director of the California Civil Rights Department, said in a statement, "Make no mistake: Hate and discrimination remain a threat across the country. However, here in California, you’re not alone in the face of hate."

The report comes as businesses and residents are mass fleeing the Bay area due to San Francisco's crime-ridden streets, which are plagued by homeless vagrants and open-air drug use. Major retailers have recently announced their departures from the not so "golden" city, and have all cited similar reasons for their exits from the Bay area, which include an increase in crime, homeless vagrants attacking employees and customers, open-air drug use, loss of foot traffic, and other safety concerns. Stores have even resulted in having to lock up candy, while drugs flow freely down the city's streets.

People that believe they are to be a victim of a hate crime can call the hotline at (833) 866-4283 or 833-8-NO-HATE.