Oakland, CA —Today, October 22, 2020, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged Freddie Smith, 57, in connection with three counts of vandalism along with enhancements alleging a hate crime.
BACKGROUND: On October 17, 2020, Temple Sinai in Oakland was vandalized with spray paint and painting of a swastika and phrases. Smith was arrested on October 20, 2020, with spray paint in his backpack, along with images matching some of the graffiti patterns. Smith is also charged with vandalizing the temple once in August and October 5, 2020.
OPD Hate Crime Hotline – (510) 637-4283
The Oakland Police Department will not tolerate any hate crime against anyone in our community. If a community member is a victim of, or a witness to, what they believe to be a hate crime that has already occurred, we encourage them to call the OPD Hate Crime Hotline at (510) 637-4283 or the department’s non-emergency phone number at (510) 777-3333. This hotline provides a direct reporting tool for victims and witnesses of hate crimes. Messages left on the hotline are checked daily by OPD staff and will be returned as soon as possible.
We are dedicated to serving all community members of Oakland. The Hate Crime Hotline is one of many efforts we’re taking to ensure that our community receives the service Oakland deserves.
A “hate crime” is defined by California Penal Code Section 422.55 as a criminal act committed, in whole or in part, because of one or more of the following actual or perceived characteristics of the victim: disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Such criminal acts can include, but not limited to physical assault, threatening phone calls, and vandalism to property.
For more information, please contact the Media Relations Office at 510-238-7230 or opdmedia@oaklandca.gov
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