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Hate Crime Prevention Tips

The City of West Hollywood and the LA County Sheriff's Department take your safety very seriously. Through our "Hate-Free City" hate crime prevention program, we have worked to reduce hate crimes by increased hate crime/hate incident reporting. This program encourages everyone to report all hate crimes AND hate incidents immediately to the Sheriff's Station by calling 911 or 310.855.8850. Additionally, the following tips will help you to better protect yourself and help make West Hollywood a Hate-Fee City:

  • Learn neighborhood danger zones and avoid them: dark parking lots, alleys, walk ways, along tall shrubs, walls and fences.
  • Move away from unsafe situations
  • Run! Scream No! Call 9-1-1
  • Carry a whistle
  • Be extra aware when leaving Lesbian, Gay and Trans bars, restaurants, organizations and hangouts. Avoid walking alone when leaving late
  • Know Before You Go: if you go home w/ someone you don't know, first introduce them to friends, bartenders or others you know.
  • Exchange names, phone #s
  • Remember drinking and partying affects your judgment: Play Safe!

What if it happens to you?
 Call 911 immediately!* Report an incident of gay bashing as a CRIME OF HATE based on sexual orientation, especially to the Sheriff's Deputy taking the report. CRIMES OF HATE are flagged as a top priority at the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station.

*If possible, avoid calling from a cell phone as 911 calls from cell phones automatically get routed through California Highway Patrol causing a delay.

Non-Emergency Reporting Phone Numbers:
 WH Sheriff..................310.855.8850
LAPD Hollywood.......213.485.4302
LA G & L Center........800.373.2227
CA Victim Assistance..916.324.9128

Know Your Rights
 California Civil Code Section 51.7 states "All persons within the jurisdiction of this State have the right to be free from any violence, or intimidation by threat of violence, committed against their persons or property because of their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or position in a labor dispute."

Anyone who violates the right provided by Section 51.7 is liable for each and every offense for the actual damages suffered by any person determined by a court of law. Damages shall be paid by the offender to the victim as follows:

1) Up to a maximum of three times the amount of actual damages;
2) A civil penalty of ten thousand dollars ($10,000); and
3) Attorney's fee as may be determined by the court.

The City of West Hollywood has a Community Relations Programs Specialist who will be able to answer all your questions. We partake in national events such as Denim Day and Walk Against Hate. For information on these events please call the city staff at (323) 848-6371.

Feel free to contact the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station if you have any questions or concerns by calling 310-855-8850.