AJC Los Angeles Statement on Release of LA County 2024 Hate Crimes Report

The Los Angeles County 2024 Hate Crimes Report, released today, documents the second-highest number of reported hate crimes in 44 years, and the second highest number of recorded anti-Jewish hate crimes.

While anti-Jewish hate crimes were reported to have decreased 17% from 244 in 2023 to 202 in 2024, this year still represents the second-highest amount recorded in the history of this report. Anti-Jewish hate crimes accounted for 80% of all reported religious hate crimes and 19% of all hate crimes committed in schools (K-12 and college and university campuses).

"This data is a stark reminder of the need for all Los Angelenos - not just the Jewish community - to remain vigilant in the fight against antisemitism, especially in the wake of yesterday's incident at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple," said Alissa Bernstein, AJC Los Angeles Assistant Director. "AJC Los Angeles remains committed to our mission to protect our Jewish community and will continue to work with government officials, law enforcement, and our community partners to make LA County safe for all its residents."

Notably, the report also highlights a sharp 118% increase in anti-Middle Eastern crimes from 2023 to 2024 and a 27% increase in anti-Israeli crimes.

Underreporting of hate crimes remains a serious concern across the board, not just for antisemitic incidents. These statistics, while disturbing and vital to law enforcement and lawmakers' work, do not represent the full picture of the antisemitism that Jews in Los Angeles are facing.

AJC has worked diligently with the county to ensure LA's Jewish community is protected against hate crimes, including with Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to pass a 2023 motion requesting a report from the Sheriff's department detailing five-year trends of antisemitic incidents. Two follow-up motions were subsequently passed in 2024 to strengthen emergency responses to and protections against antisemitic hate crimes targeting individuals and sensitive sites.

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