SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Crime across California continues to be a hot button topic and many people are hoping law enforcement can do more to stop it.
The Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho heard directly from concerned citizens about their concerns for public safety.
"It is important to speak up and speak out, call 911," said Ho.
Empowerment and service was the message from Ho to a room of community members, who hoped more could be done to crack down on crime.
District attorney Ho says it is important that people report all crime and let law enforcement sort things out. He hopes that message resonates with everyone, but especially those in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community who have expressed their concerns about public safety.
The forum hosted by the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) touched on the homeless crisis, hate crime and public safety concerns.
Some incidents are caught on camera, but people in attendance say many more are not.
"It's not getting better. But we must be more cognizant and take more proactive steps when fighting this type of attack," said Romer Cristobal, who is with APAPA. “South Sacramento, specifically Little Saigon on Stockton Boulevard, there has been a series of robberies, the latest one was at SF Supermarket. The lady was shopping, and someone just took her bag, and this is inside a grocery store where you would think you are in a safe place."
Recent data from the California Attorney General’s Office shows hate crimes across the state soared 20% in 2022 from the year before, but Anti-Asian hate saw a sharp decline. Ho disagrees with the data.
"Unfortunately, it is not being reported as much. There is a misconception about what is a hate incident and hate crime," said Ho.
Ho stresses there is no simple fix but says the community must come together and look after each other to turn the tide against the rise in crime.
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