All acts of hatred, bias and bigotry are unacceptable. A hate crime is any crime motivated in whole or in part by bias, prejudice, or bigotry. However, not all hate is a crime. A hate incident is often involving a person making non-threatening bigoted, biased or prejudiced comments to another individual based on race, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or other personal characteristics. It also can involve a person displaying a non-threatening, bigoted, biased or prejudiced message or image in certain contexts. Although deeply hurtful and offensive, hate incidents do no violate criminal or civil law.
If you are involved in an incident or are a victim of a crime, call the Sierra Madre Police Department at (626) 355-1414 or "9-1-1" for emergencies and report the incident. Do not engage the perpetrator and remove yourself from the situation. Witnesses should also call the police - "See Something, Say Something."
The following are resources for victims of hate crimes:
Hate Crimes and Incidents - How to Report Hate Crimes and Incidents and Get Help.pdf
Hate Crimes - FBI | (202) 324-3000 | https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/civil-rights/hate-crimes
Office of the Attorney General Victim's Services Unit | (877) 433-9069 | https://oag.ca.gov/victimservices
California Fair Employment & Housing Commission | (213) 439-6799 | https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/
Hate Violence & Civil Rights Fact Sheet - Department of Fair Employment and Housing | (800) 884-1684 | www.dfeh.ca.gov/posters/hateviolence