Several Buddhist temples in Santa Ana were vandalized this past weekend

Vandalism Targeted at Buddhist Temples in Santa Ana Declared a Hate Crime by OC District Attorney

By: O.C. Supervisor Andrew Do

This past weekend a number of Buddhist temples in Santa Ana were vandalized, causing extensive damage to religious statues and other temple property. Law enforcement officials have footage of a suspect in the act of vandalizing and are asking for help from the community in locating the individual.

The targeting of Buddhist temples is cause of great concern for the Vietnamese-American Community in Orange County. Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas will be announcing that he will consider these criminal conducts as possible hate crime. If convicted, this will lead to greater punishments for the offender(s).

County and City leaders will host a press conference Wednesday to share their collaboration in bringing the perpetrator to justice.

WHEN: August 22, 2018 at 2:30 PM

WHERE: Bao Quang Temple at 713 N. Newhope St., Santa Ana, CA 92703

WHO:

• Andrew Do, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors
• Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney of Orange County
• Miguel Pulido, Mayor, City of Santa Ana
• David Valentin, Chief of Police, Santa Ana

WHY: Buddhist temples in Santa Ana have suffered from vandalism of their property, including marble statues and decorations of religious figures. The targeting of Buddhist temples in particular has caused the District Attorney to consider this case a hate crime.

A former prosecutor, educator, businessman and judge pro tem, Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is fighting for Orange County taxpayers and working families in the First District communities of Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, Midway City, Santa Ana and Westminster.