City Of Seal Beach: Seal Beach Police Investigating Hate Crime Committed Against Asian American Family

Press release from City of Seal Beach:

23 March 2021

jainley@sealbeachca.gov

The Seal Beach Police Department is investigating a hate crime in which a threatening letter was mailed to an Asian American family. On Monday, March 22, 2021, the Seal Beach Police Department received a call from a resident in the 55+ community of Leisure World. The caller reported that her elderly mother had received a threatening letter in the mail. The handwritten, anonymous letter contained a threatening message toward AsianAmericans.

The author of the letter wrote “Watch out! Pack your bags and go back to your county where you belong!” Fearing for their safety, the family contacted the SealBeach Police Department to report this incident.Seal Beach investigators are diligently working to identify the suspect and author of the threatening letter. Investigative efforts including DNA and fingerprint analysis, handwriting analysis, neighborhood canvass, and video surveillance review.

“Hate directed toward any member of our community is disgusting and will not be tolerated,” said Seal Beach Chief of Police Philip L. Gonshak. “Across the county we are seeing more and more violence committed against Asian Americans and PacificIslanders. We will not allow this to happen in Seal Beach. Our investigators are working hard to following up on any and all leads we receive.” This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Jon Ainley at (562) 799-4100 ext. 1113 or JAINLEY@SEALBEACHCA.GOV.

This press release was produced by City of Seal Beach. The views expressed here are the author’s own.