“Reported hate crimes dramatically increased 45% from 930 in 2022 to 1,350 in 2023, the largest number in the history of this report.” The presentation of the 2023 Hate Crimes Report on June 24, 2025 at the Vets Memorial Building in Culver City focused on data that is recent, but builds a picture of a society that is becoming increasingly intolerant, and more criminal in expressing that intolerance.
It’s a two-sided coin; while there is no disputing that more hate crimes are being committed, it’s also true that more hate crimes are being reported. The data shows both an increase in hate, and an increase in people reporting this criminal activity.
According to the report, “We can expect that an even greater portion of non-criminal hate acts are not reported.”
The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations has produced an annual hate crime report since 1980, one of the longest standing efforts of its kind in the nation. Hate crimes are serious violations of state, federal, and international law as well as flagrant violations of internationally recognized human rights.
The Commission collects reports from every law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County, as well as from some colleges, school districts, and community-based organizations. Hate crimes documented in the year 2023 grew to a peak and set multiple records for highest counts of certain targeted groups—African Americans, Asians, Jewish people, Latino/as, LGBT* individuals, and transgender people—and included highest counts for anti-immigrant slurs, Middle East conflict related crimes, and crimes with evidence of White supremacist ideology.
There were sharp increases in hate crimes based on gender (142% increase), religion (90%), and sexual orientation (48% increase). Race, ethnicity, and national origin was by far the most common motivation, constituting 45% of all hate crimes. These crimes jumped 18%, from 547 to 646.
Religious crimes spiked 90% and were the second largest motivation. Anti-Jewish hate crimes rose 91% from 127 to 242. This is the largest number of anti-Jewish crimes ever recorded.
African Americans were again grossly over-represented in reported racial hate crimes, constituting 49% of racial hate crime victims. The 320 anti-Black crimes were the highest number ever recorded.
Hate crimes taking place at schools grew 46% from 93 to 136 and accounted for 10% of all hate crimes. Over half (57%) of hate crimes that occurred in schools were motivated by race, ethnicity, or national origin.
The commission also received substantially more reports for 2023 from well-established sources such as community-based organizations, schools, and law enforcement jurisdictions.
As a result, this report demonstrates that more and more victims of hate in LA County are no longer remaining silent. Documented hate crimes represent only a portion of hate crimes actually committed in any year. The U.S. Justice Department has reported that more than half of all hate crimes are not reported to law enforcement. An even greater portion of non-criminal hate acts are not reported.
How to report a hate crime in Culver City? Call 911 if there is immediate physical threat, or call 211.
211 is not run by the police. Reports will not be shared with law enforcement without consent. 211 can share information about how to report to police or local prosecutors if needed. You do not need to disclose your immigration status when you report with 211. Hotline services are provided for free.
When used in a hate crime law, the word “hate” does not mean rage, anger, or general dislike. The “crime” in hate crime is often a violent crime, such as assault, murder, arson, vandalism, or threats to commit such crimes. It may also cover conspiring or asking another person to commit such crimes, even if the crime was never carried out.
While specific breakouts for Culver City data were not included in the report, the statistics for Los Angeles County show the urgency of every effort to increase community, to foster tolerance and to hold accountability for those violating the peace.
Judith Martin-Straw
Photo credit Damian Dovarganes
