Always Report Suspected Hate Crimes
Even if you believe them to be insignificant, your information is vital
to increasing public safety for all who live in your community. Calling
911 immediately helps us to:
- Prevent further harm or violence
- Collect evidence before it is destroyed
- Interview witnesses who can assist with convictions
- Apprehend suspects so they do not victimize others
- Warn the community of hate crime activity in the area through social media and alerts
- Increase patrols in the area.
What is a Hate Crime?
According to the California Attorney General’s Office Victims’ Services
Unit, you can be a victim of a hate crime if you have been targeted
because of your:
- Race or ethnicity
- Nationality
- Religion
- Gender
- Sexual orientation
- Physical or mental disability
- Your association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics
Reporting Hate Crimes
If you are a victim of a hate crime, or you have witnessed a hate crime,
please report the incident to the police as soon as possible.
Regardless of whether the call comes during the incident, or after,
please call 911 and be prepared to relay the following information:
- Your injuries: Medical assistance will be called to assist if needed.
- The specifics of the crime: What happened? Who, what, where, when.
- What was said? Tell the dispatcher and the responding officer if the suspects used words that indicate a hate crime.
- Were any weapons involved? Please describe the gun, knife, etc. in as much detail as possible.
- Description of the suspects: Age, race, ethnicity, height, weight and
clothing. Any unusual or defining characteristics: Scars, marks,
tattoos, piercings, speech pattern, etc.
- Suspect vehicle description: Color, make, model, vehicle license plate number.
- Direction of travel: Which way did they leave the scene?
Information for Victims
The California Victims’ Bill of Rights Act (Marsy’s Law) gives you these important legal rights:
- Money for your losses: Medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and attorney fees.
- Inform the court on how the crime impacted your life before the defendant is sentenced.
- Get information from the prosecutor regarding your case.
- Receive Protective Orders to keep the defendant away from you.
California Attorney General’s Office
Victims' Services Unit
PO Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
(877) 433-9069
www.oag.ca.gov/victimservices
LGBTQIA+ Hate Crime Resources
Sonoma County LGBTQIA+ support groups, mental health services, legal assistance, counseling, and suicide prevention:
PartnershipHP.org/Community/Documents/Sonoma/Sonoma_LGBTQ.pdf
The Safe Space anti-hate campaign is a completely voluntary community service program
Disclaimer: Requesting a Safe Space sticker does not create a special
relationship between the City of Rohnert Park, the Rohnert Park
Department of Public Safety, and your organization, nor does it create
any legal duties on behalf of the City of Rohnert Park or its entities
to inspect, maintain, or manage your location or otherwise ensure that
your location does not discriminate against anyone. An individual enters
a Safe Space organization at their own risk. Organizations who provide a
Safe Space haven to the community take responsibility for their
environment. This anti-hate Safe Space program is completely voluntary
for all parties involved.
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety LGBTQIA+ Community Liaison
The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety's LGBTQIA+ Liaison serves
as the direct contact point for internal RPDPS staff members and out in
the community. Increasing safety for all, the liaison can be reached at
the numbers provided.
The RPDPS LGBTQIA+ Liaison duties include:
- Working closely with the LGBTQIA+ community on a variety of community-related events and issues
- Attending meetings and maintaining relationships with LGBTQIA+ community organizations
- Coordinating multi-governmental agency responses to the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Facilitating RPDPS participation in LGBTQIA+ related events throughout the region
- Acting as a Liaison between staff and Human Resources to assist with LGBTQIA+ related Issues/concerns
- Working with Training Coordinators to ensure LGBTQIA+ professional development
- Assisting with LGBTQIA+ social media messaging and educational outreach for public safety
J.P. Pritchard
Pronouns: She/Her
Community Engagement Coordinator / LGBTQIA+ Liaison
[email protected]
707-584-2691
