Hate Crimes Database Unveiled by State
State officials Thursday unveiled what they called the first high-tech database in the country to combat hate crimes.
Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer said the database will allow police departments statewide to use computers to call up names, mug shots and even the types of tattoos commonly used by particular individuals or groups linked to hate crimes.
Until now California has lacked a central repository for police intelligence on hate crimes. That means an investigator working in one city might not ever know a crucial piece of information gathered in another location during a different incident.
The database is expected to go into full operation by August.
About 1,750 hate crimes were reported in the state in 1998, the last year for which statistics are available, Lockyer said.
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