The Seattle Police Department has seen a rise in the number of Anti-Asian hate crime reports in our city over the last year.
In 2020, police received 14 reports of Anti-Asian hate crimes, up from 9 the previous year and 6 in 2018.
Last month, a woman was assaulted in the Chinatown-International District, causing great concern in the community which has previously been targeted by white nationalists. While police have not yet found evidence indicating the February attack was racially-motivated, the Seattle Police Department’s Bias Crimes Unit is investigating the incident.
The Seattle Police Department is committed to documenting and investigating all bias incidents and crimes. The Department encourages anyone who feels they have been victimized to call 911.
UPDATE 3/4: Officers have arrested a 41-year-old man for the February 25th assault in the Chinatown-International District.
Update 3/5:
Chief Diaz’s message about the recent rise in bias crimes in the city of Seattle.