Hate Crimes Spike To Highest Levels In 21 Years In LA County: Study

LOS ANGELES, CA — The number of hate crimes reported in Los Angeles County hit the highest level in two decades in 2022, jumping 18 percent from the year before, according to a report released this week by the county Commission on Human Relations.

Last year, 929 hate crimes were reported across LA County last year, up from 790 in 2021. Last year's numbers were the highest since 2001, when 1,031 such crimes were reported.

Officials say that reports likely only make up a portion of the actual hate crimes that occur.

Race was by far the most common motivation for crimes, constituting 57 of all reported crimes — such crimes jumped 14 percent from last year. African Americans made up 53 percent of racial hate-crime victims.

Anti-Latino crimes rose 3 percent, while anti-Asian crimes dropped 25 percent — however the 61 anti-Asian crimes reported was the second-highest number ever for the county, according to the report.

And last year's 44 anti-transgender crimes reported was the largest number ever documented. Of those, 91 percent were violent, according to the report.

"The release of the county's Commission on Human Relations (report) comes at a somber time — a time in which we are seeing what is happening afar having a direct local impact here in LA County," Supervisor Hilda Solis said in a statement. "It is also a reminder that we are not immune and hate and violence continue to impact the lives of Angelenos."

You can read LA County's 2022 Hate Crime Report here.