Why This Matters
Local law enforcement officials are increasing surveillance across San Diego neighborhoods, especially Hillcrest, which has seen the most hate crimes reported over the years.
Last year, more hate crimes were reported in the city of San Diego than in any other year since 2016 – and one neighborhood has stood out for the most reports of hate crimes motivated by race, sexual orientation and religion.
San Diego’s Hillcrest, an historic LGBTQ neighborhood, which topped the list in 2023, has had 25 reports of hate crimes reported since 2016, according to data from the San Diego Police Department. University City, with 17 incidents, has had the second highest number of hate crimes reported in that timeframe.
The hate crime statistics reflect the number of hate incidents reported to the police department and do not indicate whether they were referred for prosecution as hate crimes.
So far this year, through May, 22 hate crimes have been reported citywide. Noting a recent uptick in crime in Hillcrest, local law enforcement say they are taking extra precautions before the upcoming annual Pride festival and parade on Saturday.
According to the data provided by police, Hillcrest saw only one hate crime reported in the first five months of this year, and it was in May.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl recently unveiled a plan to install additional smart streetlights and license plate readers to increase surveillance in Hillcrest.
Fourteen cameras will be monitoring the neighborhood, including at the intersections of University Avenue with Park Boulevard and Sixth Avenue, according to the map shared by SDPD.
“This neighborhood we’re standing in today has seen alone, over the last four years, the most incidents of hate throughout our entire city, and today we’re saying enough is enough,” Chief Wahl said at a news conference in Hillcrest earlier this month.
Privacy rights advocates and some residents criticized the police chief for increasing surveillance using his emergency powers, which allow him to bypass San Diego City Council and the Privacy Advisory Board.
Here’s a look at hate crime trends across San Diego neighborhoods:
