Skinhead Population Relatively Small but May Grow, Report Says : Antelope Valley: County commission suggests local governments develop programs to prevent hate crimes.

The number of actively racist and potentially violent skinheads in the Antelope Valley is relatively small--40 to 100--according to a report by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Rights.

The report, released Friday, was prompted by several incidents, including a shooting into a car of African Americans in April, allegedly by a group of skinheads.

“We’re pleased that it’s a relatively small group, but a group of any size causes concern,” said County Supervisor Mike Antonovich. “We have to be tough on hate crimes.”

The commission conducted more than 100 interviews with community and government leaders, school officials, law enforcement officials and media representatives regarding skinhead groups, according to the report.

Although the study found that the number of violent incidents by such groups was low in the area, an influx of minorities in recent years and a depressed economy could potentially strengthen hate groups.

“Hatred is rooted in fear,” the report states. “And the fear of this embittered white underclass is strong as they find good jobs hard to come by and they are no longer guaranteed access to the good life simply by being white males.”

Ron Wakabayashi, the commission’s executive director, said, “It’s the type of situation that can lead to growth of skinheads and skinhead-type groups. I don’t want us to be paranoid or anxious, I just want us to be alert.”

According to the report, most residents of Lancaster and Palmdale do not see skinheads as a significant threat in their communities, but “there is a growing fear . . . especially among African Americans, that hate incidents / crimes and skinhead activities are on the rise.”

The commission recommended several steps to combat the growth of violent skinhead groups in the Antelope Valley, including urging local governments to create commissions on human relations, as well as community forums to discuss human rights.

The report suggests law enforcement agencies provide diversity training to officers and actively recruit minority and bilingual officers.

Also, the report recommends the school district adopt a hate crime policy.

The county Board of Supervisors will discuss the report in its June 22 meeting.