San Diego Jewish leaders praise mayor, City Council, police, though 38.5% of city's hate crimes this year targeted Jews

Of 13 hate crimes reported in San Diego from January 1 through May 22, all five involving religious bias targeted Jews, representing 38.5% of the city's total hate crimes during that period, according to San Diego Police Department data. Jews comprise approximately 2% of the metro area's population, per the Pew Research Center's 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study.

Four of the five incidents involved intimidation, while one was an act of vandalism. The most recent hate crime in the police data was recorded on April 7, with the database last updated on May 22.

For 2025 overall, the city recorded 41 hate crimes, with 11 - or 26.8%-targeting Jews. Nine involved property destruction and two involved intimidation. The remaining incidents included four against Catholics, four against other Christians, two anti-Muslim crimes, one anti-Arab crime and one against an unspecified religion.

Sara Brown, San Diego regional director at the American Jewish Committee, stated that "Jews everywhere have been exposed to more antisemitism and anti-Zionism since Oct. 7." She noted that "San Diego is no exception" And praised city leadership, saying the mayor, City Council and county law enforcement "have been staunch allies with the Jewish community." Brown said this show "the city takes these incidents seriously and will vigorously investigate them."

Liat Cohen-Reeis, director of the antisemitism task force at StandWithUs San Diego, said that "despite the darkness and hatred we face each day, the majority of San Diegans have moral clarity and courage," Pointing to community participation in rallies, events and City Council meetings. She noted that "while antisemitic hate crimes in San Diego are growing, so is the alliance with our Christian brothers and sisters" And added the community has "built wonderful relationships with our police department, elected officials and local churches."