NCJ Number
181239
Journal
Western Criminology Review Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: 2000 Pages: 1-34
Date Published
2000
Length
34 pages
Annotation
Hate crimes based on racial bias in Los Angeles County (Calif.) were studied based mainly on law enforcement statistics collected during 1994-97.
Abstract
The research used geographic information systems technology to map 1,837 reported bias incidents and to locate clusters where hate crimes occur in relatively high density. In addition, interviews and archival research took place in two cluster areas. Results of this preliminary study suggest that hate crimes committed in cluster locations more often involve perpetrators who are members of gangs. A related finding was the strong indication of race-bias hate crime among minority-based gangs in which the motive was hatred toward a group defined by racial identification and not the defense of territorial boundaries against other gangs. Results suggested the need for improved and expanded data collection, quantitative time-series analysis, qualitative case studies, forecasting and modeling, and the development of a human relations infrastructure. Tables, notes, and 51 references (Author abstract modified)