San Francisco Tries New Tactics To Reverse A Spike In Hate Crimes
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) -- San Francisco says it will have no tolerance for hate crimes.
"We stand together against messages of hate ... against acts of hate," Mayor Ed Lee at a news conference on the steps of City Hall.
The mayor and other city leaders announced they will proactively stave off attacks against people of different backgrounds.
San Francisco's Interim police Chief Toney Chaplin says hate crimes are spiking right now - up 10 percent this year and 28 percent from 2 years ago. He says it's directly related to the ugly campaign season that saw President-elect Donald Trump insulting some minority groups.
The police chief said the department will post undercover officers in plainclothes to try to catch those who would commit hate crime violence.
The district attorney has also set up a special hotline number.
Chaplin said, "What kids are doing is they're mimicking behavior of what they see adults do. ... I mean, we've got a problem."
Lee tried to reassure members of the community saying, "We want to remain an open, welcome city. And some people may not feel that unless we enforce the very laws we put on the books that say 'if you wear a hajib you're going to be as protected as if you've got a nose ring. Or that you look different.'"