The Oakland Police Department has activated a new Hate Crime Hotline to help combat and investigate hate crimes that occur in the city of Oakland.
OPD Hate Crime Hotline – (510) 637-4283
The Oakland Police Department will not tolerate any hate crime against anyone in our community. If a community member is a victim of, or a witness to, what they believe to be a hate crime that has already occurred, we encourage them to call the OPD Hate Crime Hotline at (510) 637-4283 or the department’s non-emergency phone number at (510) 777-3333. This hotline provides a direct reporting tool for victims and witnesses of hate crimes. Messages left on the hotline are checked daily by OPD staff and will be returned as soon as possible.
“There is nothing more important than OPD’s responsiveness to potential hate crimes and the community’s awareness and assistance in the pursuit to keep Oakland safe,” said Deputy Chief Oliver Cunningham.
We are dedicated to serve all community members of Oakland. The Hate Crime Hotline is one of many efforts we’re taking to ensure that our community receives the service Oakland deserves.
“Oakland is united against hate. That’s why I responded to recent displays of bigotry and threats of violence by working with City departments to find strategies to more effectively track and prevent hate crimes in our community,’ said District 2 Councilmember Abel Guillén, who serves on the City Council's Public Safety Committee. “Our new Hate Crime Hotline is a vital first step that gives every resident a direct, easy-to-use way to report hate crimes and related activity.”
A “hate crime” is defined by California Penal Code Section 422.55 as a criminal act committed, in whole or in part, because of one or more of the following actual or perceived characteristics of the victim: disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Such criminal acts can include, but not limited to physical assault, threatening phone calls, and vandalism to property.