Mayor Edwin M. Lee, San Francisco Police Department Acting Chief Toney Chaplin, and Human Rights Commission Executive Director Sheryl Evans Davis joined city officials and community partners today to announce that together, San Francisco will stand as one against hate crimes by deploying a enforcement strategy and resources for communities in need. 

The city of San Francisco and its departments are committed to working proactively to ensure that San Francisco is a safe place for everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, age ancestry or national origin. 

“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.”

With hate crimes among the many types of crime that go under-reported each year, combating this issue will require enforcement strategies, education, outreach and highlighting resources already available to communities in need. 

In addition to investigating hate crimes, SFPD 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 police officers will be proactive in addressing prejudice based crimes and will vigorously investigate hate crimes with the goal of arresting suspects and bringing justice and support services to victims.”  

Enforcement is only one part of the city's solution to combatting hate crimes. The Human Rights Commission in partnership with community based organizations provide a multitude of services aimed at helping to solve issues of prejudice and intolerance end to end. This includes education campaigns to help communities better understand each other; discussion forums to openly address issues within communities; and training and awareness events. Services also include, 24 hour hotlines to report a hate crime for victims and witnesses. Anonymous tools are particularly important for communities that are forced to live in the shadows, are worried about immigration status, or persecution from family members, among other reasons. 

“San Francisco has become known as a city of progress, diversity and acceptance. With more than 800,000 residents living in the city – 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.”

Take a stand against HATE. We are all protected from discrimination as well as hate violence or threats of violence. If you are someone you know has a situation to report please 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.