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Santa Clara County Immigrants Urged To Report Hate Crimes Without Fear

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - The Mexican Consulate in San Jose was the backdrop for a news conference this week, where members of county law enforcement agencies urged members of immigrant communities who have been victimized are being urged to come forward.

"We want to send the message to those specifically in the immigrant community that they have nothing to be afraid of," stressed Independent Police Auditor, the Hon. LaDoris Cordell. "No one's going to go ask them for their documentation."

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

"I'm committed to public safety for everyone who lives in Santa Clara County, whether they are an immigrant, whether they're a U.S. citizen and so for anyone to be victimized by a hate crime, those are cases that we will aggressively prosecute," added District Attorney Jeff Rosen.

Santa Clara County, on average, receives between 15 and 20 reports of hate crimes per year.

"The message has to be out there loudly and clearly that hate crimes are evil and we have to stop them," insisted San Jose Police Department Chief Chris Moore.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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