Crimes motivated by hate decreased slightly in 2008 compared to the previous year, consistent with a drop in overall crime, according to a report released Thursday by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations.
But despite the fact that hate crimes dipped to 729, the report noted it was still the second-highest number of hate crimes reported in the county since 2002. The report also found that while crimes motivated by race decreased by 16 percent, crimes based on sexual orientation grew by 21 percent and religious-based crime rose 14 percent.
"Hate crimes targeting African-Americans, whites, Asians, Armenians, Middle Easterners and transgender people declined, but those targeting gay men and lesbians increased," according to the report. "The number of crimes targeting Latinos and Jews remained virtually the same."
Overall, the number of hate crimes in 2008 represented a 4 percent decrease from 2007, when 763 hate crimes were reported.
The report also noted that the San Fernando Valley had the largest number of hate crimes -- 200 -- followed by the metro area, with 147.
Accounting for population, the Antelope Valley had the highest rate of hate crimes, at 11.8 per 100,000 residents. The east side of the county had the lowest number of hate crimes and the lowest per capita rate, at 2.2 per 100,000 residents.
According to the report, hate crimes occurred most frequently at residents, followed by public places, businesses, schools and religious sites.
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The state of California defines a hate crime as one where evidence shows "bias, hatred or prejudice based on the victim's real or perceived race/ethnicity, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender or sexual orientation."
