Supervisors press for more data and higher‑level police engagement after anti‑LGBTQ hate‑crimes hearing

The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on Jan. 10 held an extended hearing on anti‑LGBTQ hate crimes, heard data and outreach plans from the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and the mayor—s office, received crime‑count and training reports from the San Francisco Police Department, and heard filing‑trend data from the District Attorney—s Office. Supervisors pressed for more consistent data collection, more resources for community‑based organizations and victim services, and for higher‑level police engagement; the committee continued the item to the call of the chair for follow‑up.

Supervisor Jeff Sheehy opened the hearing by citing state and FBI data, saying California hate crimes had risen 11.2% and that Bay Area hate‑crime reporting increased in 2016 versus 2015; he said San Francisco was among the Bay Area cities with high reported numbers and warned that hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity were trending upward. "The current administration perpetuates hate and exclusion," Sheehy said, and argued the national environment has emboldened people to commit violence against LGBTQ residents.

Cheryl Davis, executive director of the Human Rights Commission, said underreporting is the central…