Hesperia Police, Racial Discrimination, California 2023

Hesperia Police Settle Racial Discrimination Lawsuit, Ending 'Crime-Free' Rental Housing Program

The City of Hesperia, California, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department have agreed to end their 'crime-free' rental housing program, which was at the center of a landmark racial discrimination lawsuit filed by the Justice Department.

According to the lawsuit, the program was implemented with the intent of addressing a perceived 'demographical problem' in Hesperia - its increasing Black and Latinx population. The program required all rental property owners to evict tenants upon notice by the Sheriff's Department that the tenants had engaged in any alleged 'criminal activity' on or near the property.

The lawsuit alleged that the City and Sheriff's Department engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against Black and Latinx individuals and communities in Hesperia, in violation of the Fair Housing Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Under the terms of the agreement, the City and Sheriff's Department will end the 'crime-free' program and implement new policies to ensure that housing policies do not discriminate against individuals based on their race.

The agreement also includes measures to protect individuals who call for emergency or law enforcement assistance from retaliation.

Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta stated, 'The Justice Department is committed to ensuring housing policies do not discriminate against individuals based on their race, including so-called 'crime-free' programs.'

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke added, 'So-called 'crime-free' ordinances are often fueled by racially discriminatory objectives, destabilize communities and promote modern-day racial segregation.'

The City of Hesperia and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department have agreed to pay an undisclosed amount in damages to compensate affected individuals and families.

The settlement marks a significant victory for civil rights advocates, who have long argued that 'crime-free' programs are discriminatory and disproportionately affect communities of color.

Defendant: City of Hesperia, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

Criminal Charges: Racial discrimination, violation of the Fair Housing Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

City and State: Hesperia, California

Exact Date: 2019 (lawsuit filed)

Sentence or Outcome: Settlement agreement, ending 'crime-free' program

Dollar Amounts: Undisclosed amount in damages

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-secures-landmark-agreement-city-and-police-department-ending-crime-free