Cuesta College Police, Hate Crime Information and Reporting
Hate Incidents vs. Hate Crimes
A hate incident is an action or behavior motivated by hate but legally protected by the First Amendment
right to freedom of expression.
Examples of hate incidents include:
Name-calling, insults, distributing hate material in public places, and displaying
hate material on your own property
The U.S. Constitution allows hate speech as long as it does not interfere with the
civil rights of others. If a hate incident starts to threaten a person or property,
it may become a hate crime.
A hate crime is a crime against a person, group, or property motivated by the victim's real or
perceived protected social group. The law protects against many classes of hate crimes including (but not limited to):
(1) Graffiti or vandalism that references or is motivated by hate,
(2) Actual or threats of physical violence against a person or group of people motivated
by hate, or
(3) Theft, burglary, arson, and other crimes that are perpetrated against a person
or group due to hate or bias.
Hate Crime/Incident Reporting
If you witness a hate motivated incident or a hate crime on campus, or are a victim of such an incident, contact the Campus Police immediately at (805)546-3205 or 3911 from a campus phone.
Additionally, you should (if applicable):
- Go to a safe and well-lit area, preferably with other people around.
- Get medical attention if you need it.
- Write down the exact words that were said.
- Make notes about any other facts, such as the description of the suspect vehicle.
- Save all evidence (e.g., graffiti, items thrown, writing on victim's vehicle). If safe, wait until campus police arrives and takes photos.
- Get the names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails of other victims and witnesses to provide to campus police or other investigators.
- Report hate crimes/incidents to the Vice President of Student Services at 805-546-3116.
Please click on the link below for an informational brochure on Hate Crimes from the
Office of the Attorney General:
Hate Crime