SACRAMENTO - (INT) – The increasing number of reported hate crimes in California is getting more attention. In an annual report issued Monday, hate crimes over the last year increased 17.4 percent, from 931 in 2016 to 1,093 in 2017.

• Hate crime events involving a racial bias over the last year increased 16.0 percent, from 519 in 2016 to 602 in 2017.
• Anti-black or African American bias events rose from 251 in 2016 to 302 in 2017, an increase of 20.3 percent.
• Hate crimes with a sexual orientation bias accounted for 22.5 percent of hate crimes reported in 2017.
• Hate crimes with an anti-gay (male) bias increased 13.2 percent over the last year, from 152 in 2016 to 172 in 2017.
• The total number of victims of reported hate crimes increased 10.9 percent from 1,145 in 2016 to 1,270 in 2017.
• The number of suspects of reported hate crimes increased 3.2 percent from 982 in 2016 to 1,013 in 2017.
In his annual report, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra had a mixed bag in other statistics.
• The violent crime rate per 100,000 population increased 1.5 percent from 2016-2017 while the property crime rate decreased 2.1 percent.
• From 2016-2017, the homicide rate decreased from 4.9 to 4.6 per 100,000 population.
• From 2016-2017, the motor vehicle theft rate decreased 5.3 percent, from 448.9 in to 424.9 per 100,000 population.
• From 2016-2017, the arson and rape rates increased 10.7 and 6.9 (respectively) per 100,000 population.
• The 2016-2017 total arrest rate decreased 2.5 percent, while the total felony violent offence arrest rate increased 1.9 percent per 100,000 population at risk. The at risk population refers specifically to individuals between the ages of 10-69.
• From 2016-2017, the adult total arrest rate decreased 1.9 percent and the juvenile total arrest rate decreased 11.0 percent in 2017 per 100,000 population at risk.
• From 2016-2017, the total homicide and robbery arrest rate increased 4.3 and 6.6 percent respectively per 100,000 population at risk.
• The 2017 total arrest rate for rape remained the same as in 2016 at 8.3 per 100,000 population at risk.
• From 2016 to 2017, the total felony drug offense arrest rate decreased 23.5 percent, while the marijuana and dangerous drug offense arrest rates decreased 73.7 and 12.7 percent, respectively per 100,000 population.

Story Date: July 17, 2018