Hate Crimes

There was a more than 164% increase in anti-Asian hate crime reports to police in the first quarter of 2021 in 16 major cities and jurisdictions compared with last year, according to a report from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino. The new data comes after several high-profile attacks.  A man was arrested on May 4, 2021 for allegedly stabbing two Asian women in an unprovoked attack in downtown San Francisco. Over the prior weekend, two Asian women were attacked in New York City by a woman who demanded they remove their masks, then struck one of them in the head with a hammer, according to police. 

San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan joined law enforcement and community leaders for a Public Safety Symposium where it was reported that the DA's office received 120 tips on anti-Asian hate incidents and resulting in 3 filed felony cases.

Deputy DA Leonard Trinh, leader of the Hate Crimes Unit of the San Diego DA's Office, joins the podcast and tells us how his family was a victim of a hate crime, his path to becoming a prosecutor, how to prove hate crimes in court, and the importance of reporting hate incidents. DDA Trinh relays an incredible story of how employees heard their co-worker praise the Poway Chabad shooter and reported this incident which led to the seizure of a cache of weapons and likely led to the prevention of a crime.

To report a hate crime to the San Diego DA's office, go to the online portal here, contact the unit directly at [email protected] or call 619-515-8805.

Each episode we examine the laws on the books; two are real and one is fake. Can you guess which law is the fake?

In Massachusetts, it’s illegal to swear at a referee during a sporting event.In Utah, it’s illegal to give someone the middle finger in public.In Oregon, it’s illegal to throw human waste from a car.

Disclaimer: The views expressed on this podcast are solely of the speakers and do not reflect the views of the Deputy DA's Association nor the District Attorney. 

Questions and comments can be emailed to [email protected].

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Music by: The Only Ocean - "Snake"

Image by: Pixabay user Michael Gaida.