San Diego city leaders announced Monday the creation of a reward fund to collect information on hate crimes, a category of crime that has been on the rise in recent months.
According to the San Diego Police Department, financial incentives for help solving hate crimes (up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest) will be provided under the supervision of San Diego County Crime Stoppers, but this is not the case for recent hate crimes. It comes in response to a “significant increase” in crime. .
The creation of the fund, which has already received more than $18,000 in donations, was led by San Diego City and County Commissioner Nicole Murray-Ramirez, chair of the San Diego GLBTQ History Task Force.
“Today we send a strong message to those who may consider committing a hate crime in San Diego County,” said Nicole Murray-Ramirez. “If you commit a hate crime, there is a $2,000 reward for your arrest.”
At a press conference Monday morning at SDPD headquarters downtown, the police department also announced the creation of a new hate crimes unit that will centralize the investigation of such crimes. Previously, different divisions within the agency investigated hate crimes that occurred in specific jurisdictions.
“Hate crimes have a profound impact on our communities, with lasting effects, both physical and psychological, that we all feel,” said SDPD Chief Scott Wall. ” he said. “Public safety is a shared mission, and we can’t do it alone. These tools will not only help solve hate crimes, but also truly deter them.”
Below are the first cases eligible for funds from the Fund.
— On September 10, an unidentified man, believed to be around 60 years old, approached a Hispanic woman in Alcazar Gardens in Balboa Park, told her she “didn’t belong here” and made derogatory comments about her race. There was an uproar when he waved his cane. There are no injuries.
— On Sept. 8, three people were hit in the head and face by projectiles fired from a gel pellet gun from inside a passing vehicle in the 700 block of University Avenue in Hillcrest.
— On Aug. 4, an unidentified woman approached an elderly Hispanic man in the 6300 block of El Cajon Boulevard in the University Area, made derogatory comments about his race, and punched him in the head multiple times. and
— On May 18, an employee outside Rich’s gay bar on University Avenue in Hillcrest was struck in the eye by a gel bullet fired from a passing vehicle, sustaining injuries that required surgery.
Anyone with information about the above incidents or other hate-related crimes is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or sdcrimestoppers.org.
