Orange County Human Relations Commission
MISSION: Seek out the causes of tension and conflict, discrimination and intolerance, and eliminate those causes
Monthly Summary of Activities: January 2017
Police‐Community Relations
OCSD Command Staff Meeting: On 1/4, Commission staff reviewed protocols for complaint handling and hate crime reporting to Sherriff Department staff.
SAPD and Cedar Evergreen Dialogues: On 1/27, Commission staff concluded their Police-Community dialogue series which brought together 6 Santa Ana Police Department officers and 20 Santa Ana residents together in an effort to foster understanding, trust, and strengthen relationships.
OC Solidarity Stakeholder Meeting: On 1/11, Commission Director attended a stakeholder meeting at COR, which focused on developing next steps and follow-up to last summer’s Solidarity March in Irvine.
OC Sherriff’s Interfaith Advisory Council: On 1/17, new Commission Director attended in the Sherriff’s Interfaith Advisory Council and had an opportunity to introduce herself to the group.
Intergroup Relations
Hate Crime Outreach/Presentations: Commission staff conducted 4 Hate Crime presentations through the Families & Communities Together Family Resource Center. A total of 6 staff were trained on intake and reporting and 100 residents were educated about hate crime and reporting.
Hate Crime Response: As of 1/31/17, Commission staff have documented 39 incidents and 9 hate crimes since the election:
- On 1/9, Commission staff participated at the A Place for Every Family anti-hate event at Pavion Park in Mission Viejo, which was a community response against swastikas graffiti found on park playground.
- From 1/17 to 1/20, Commission staff partnered with OC Human Relations Council staff to respond to a hate crime in the City of Laguna Beach. Staff have been supporting Laguna Beach HS by providing safe space for students to address their feelings, perspectives, and reactions to the incident. Additionally, staff continue to support and work with the Laguna Beach Union School District, the City Manager, and local law enforcement.
- On 1/19, Commission staff partnered with OC Human Relations Council staff to respond to a hate incident at a Tustin Elementary school. School parents contacted us asking for supporting and guidance on how to address an incident where school children where verbally harassing the school’s janitor.
Community Together Town Hall: On 1/29, Commission Director participated and moderated at this event that took place in Newport Beach, which gathered law enforcement and community leaders to explore ways to bring OC’s diverse communities together and create strong intercommunal relations.
Community Capacity Building
Implicit Bias Training: Commission staff in collaboration with OC Human Relations Council facilitated 2 Implicit Bias trainings. A total of approximately 70 professionals were trained through the Child Support Services agency and Families Forward organization.
Sheriff’s Academy: On 1/13, Commission staff facilitated a session at the Sherriff’s Academy where a total of 59 recruits participated in the Fair & Impartial Policing training.
