Berkeley PD Responds To Anti-Asian Hate Crime Surge

BERKELEY, CA — The Berkeley Police Department said in a statement Monday it will increase patrols amid the national surge in anti-Asian hate crimes and is urging the public to report such incidents.

“BPD takes all hate crimes and hate incidents seriously,” the Police Department said.

“Our Detective Division will continue to investigate these incidents to the fullest extent possible.”

The statement follows the March 16 Atlanta spa attacks that killed eight people including six Asian women. Law enforcement officials have not concluded that the incident is a hate crime.

There have been nearly 3,800 hate attacks against Asian people in the last year according to the group Stop AAPI Hate.

“The Berkeley Police Department is aware of a disturbing increase in violence specifically directed towards Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans affecting the entire nation, as well as our state and region,” the Police Department said.

“These incidents have understandably left our Asian American and Pacific Islander American communities with a heightened sense of anxiety and fear of being victimized based on their heritage.”

The department said will increase its bicycle patrol detail and its presence throughout the city’s most visible areas.

The Berkeley PD’s Community Services Bureau - Area Coordinators will continue to host monthly community advisory meetings where residents can share concerns about public safety and other issues.

“BPD is dedicated to serving our community, and we are committed to keeping our diverse and progressive community safe,” the Police Department said.

“Please help us defend against hate. Report any circumstances in which you were the victim of a hate crime or incident or believe one has been committed.”

Anyone who has been the victim of a hate crime or knows of someone who is asked to report such incidents to the BPD’s Dispatch Center at (510) 981-5900.

Anyone who witnesses a hate crime or incident in progress should call 911.