Hate Crimes

It is the policy of this Department to safeguard the rights of all individuals irrespective of their disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and/or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate or bias is viewed very seriously and given high priority.

Bias motivation is a pre-existing negative attitude toward actual or perceived characteristics referenced in Penal Code § 422.55. Depending on the circumstances of each case, bias motivation may include but is not limited to hatred, animosity, discriminatory selection of victims, resentment, revulsion, contempt, unreasonable fear, paranoia, callousness, thrill-seeking, desire for social dominance, desire for social bonding with those of one’s “own kind,” or a perception of the vulnerability of the victim due to the victim being perceived as being weak, worthless, or fair game because of a protected characteristic, including but not limited to disability or gender.

Hate Crimes includes but is not limited to a violation of Penal Code § 422.6, and means a criminal act committed, in whole or in part, because of one or more of the following actual or perceived characteristics of the victim: (a) Disability (b) Gender (c) Nationality (d) Race or ethnicity (e) Religion (f) Sexual orientation (g) Association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics: 1. “Association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics" includes advocacy for, identification with, or being on the premises owned or rented by, or adjacent to, any of the following: a community center, educational facility, family, individual, office, meeting hall, place of worship, private institution, public agency, library, or other entity, group, or person that has, or is identified with people who have, one or more of the characteristics listed in the definition of “hate crime” under paragraphs 1 to 6, inclusive, of Penal Code § 422.55(a). 

Note: A “hate crime” need not be motivated by hate but may be motivated by any bias against a protected characteristic. 

SMPD Policy on Hate Crimes

Santa Monica City Council Message Against Hate

January - September 2023 Hate Crime Data