Reported hate crimes in Los Angeles County declined by 6 percent in 2012 from the previous year, marking the second lowest total in 23 years, the county Commission on Human Relations announced today.
According to its annual report – which defines a hate crime as one where hatred or prejudice toward a victim’s race or ethnicity, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation was a substantial factor – there were 462 reported hate crimes countywide last year, a decrease of 27 from 2011.
Crimes based on sexual orientation increased from the previous year to 28 percent of all the hate crimes – and were more likely to be violent than either racial – or religious-related hated crimes.
Religious crimes, which were primarily antisemitic in nature, declined slightly from last year, constituting 19 percent of the total.
The highest rate of hate crimes took place in the metro region stretching from West Hollywood to Boyle Heights. When accounting for population, the Antelope Valley tied with the metro area for the highest numbers.
The commission’s report was generated from data collected from sheriff and city police departments, school districts and community groups.
