Watch CBS News

Hate Crimes In California Against Hispanics Soar; Overall Rate Steady

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- The overall number of hate crimes in California remained steady last year, but the number targeting Hispanics nearly doubled.

A state Department of Justice report released Thursday says there were 1,107 reported crimes motivated by race, religion, sexual orientation and other forms of bias in 2010. That's just seven more cases than in 2009.

KCBS' Melissa Culross Reports:

While hate crimes against Jews, blacks and the LGBT community decreased, the state says hate crimes against Hispanics rose by 47 percent. Officials recorded 119 anti-Hispanic crimes in 2010, compared to 81 in the previous year.

Still, hate crimes against blacks account for the largest percentage with 324 reports—or 29 percent of all cases—last year.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.