This week, the Santa Cruz Police Department says it has fielded many questions and concerns from members of our community about hate crimes.
Four hate crimes have been reported this year. Two cases, which occurred on June 28, 2020, and July 5, 2020, have met the legal standard of being a “hate crime.”
Detectives are working with the District Attorney’s Office in pursuing charges against the defendants. One of these cases was also forwarded to the FBI for review.
Two cases are still under investigation. These two cases involve unsettling name-calling and insults, but the individuals involved have elected not to press charges.
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In comparing the last three years of cases surrounding hate crime allegations, Santa Cruz Police received:
- 10 reports for 2018,
- Two reports for 2019,
- Four reports for 2020.
