SBPD Investigates Hate Crime
SEAL BEACH POLICE INVESTIGATING HATE CRIME COMMITTED AGAINST ASIAN AMERICAN FAMILY
The Seal Beach Police Department is investigating a hate crime in which a threatening letter was mailed to an Asian-American family.
On Monday, March 22, the Seal Beach Police Department received a call from a resident in the 55-plus community of Leisure World. The caller reported that her elderly mother had received a threatening letter in the mail. The handwritten, anonymous letter contained a threatening message toward Asian Americans. The author of the letter wrote “Watch out! Pack your bags and go back to your county where you belong!” Fearing for their safety, the family contacted the Seal Beach Police Department to report the incident.
Seal Beach investigators are diligently working to identify the suspect and author of the threatening letter. Investigative efforts including DNA and fingerprint analysis, handwriting analysis, neighborhood canvass, and video surveillance review.
“Hate directed toward any member of our community is disgusting and will not be tolerated,” said Seal Beach Chief of Police Philip L. Gonshak. “Across the county we are seeing more and more violence committed against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. We will not allow this to happen in Seal Beach. Our investigators are working hard to following up on any and all leads we receive.”
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Jon Ainley at (562) 799-4100, ext. 1113, or jainley@sealbeachca.gov.
