San Francisco to deploy undercover cops against hate crimes

Racist graffiti in San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO – Aside from vigorously investigating hate crimes, San Francisco law enforcement authorities will deploy undercover operatives to detect hate-motivated threats to public security and personal safety, the Mayor’s office announced.

Hate crimes are among the many types of crime that go under-reported each year. With the election victory of Donald Trump, however, more cases of hate-motivated attacks have been reported nationwide. Even liberal San Francisco has not bee spared from hate incidents.

“The message is simple, San Francisco has no room for hate,” said Mayor Ed Lee. “City officials and our community partners are united and determined to root out any prejudice in our great city. We will remain a city that embraces the values of inclusiveness, compassion for another, and diversity.”

San Francisco Police will deploy a new proactive operation using crime data to place plainclothes officers in areas where hate crimes have been previously reported.

Officers will be stationed in various neighborhoods in an effort to deter prejudiced based crimes and, should a crime occur, to make a swift arrest.

“We want to make San Francisco a safe place for everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age ancestry or national origin,” said Interim Chief of Police Toney Chaplin.

“San Francisco has become known as a city of progress, diversity and acceptance. With more than 800,000 residents living in the city C women, immigrants, LGBTQ, Muslims and more,” said Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission Sheryl Davis. “The City will continue to explore new strategies, tools and funding committed to protecting the rights of all its citizens.”

If you are someone you know has a situation to report, contact:

• SF Human Rights Commission (415) 252-2500
• SF District Attorney Hate Crimes Hotline (415) 551-9595
• SF Police Dept. Hate Crimes Division (415) 553-1133
• California Dept. of Fair Employment & Housing (800) 884-1684

To report a crime in progress or life-threating emergencies, please call 911.