Anti-Asian hate attacks drop in California but under-reporting worries community leaders
- Hate crimes fell more than 40 per cent in 2022 to 140, but police said some Asian-Americans are not reporting attacks against them as attention on the topic fades
- Community leaders have urged law enforcement agencies to provide more support for victims, which could encourage more people to come forward
After hitting record highs in 2021, anti-Asian hate attacks have significantly decreased both in the Los Angeles area and statewide in California.
The trend has prompted relief but also concern that some Asian-Americans are not reporting attacks against them as attention on the topic fades.
But reports of anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents in areas patrolled by the Los Angeles county sheriff’s department – including unincorporated communities and the cities of West Hollywood and Diamond Bar – fell 60 per cent in 2022 compared with 2021, from 30 to 12, even as overall hate attacks rose.
Hate crimes include violent crimes such as homicide and assault, as well as non-violent crimes such as racist graffiti.
Hate incidents consist of verbal abuse, harassment, bullying and other behaviour that is hate-motivated but doesn’t rise to the level of a crime.