Nevada County residents demand accountability over hate crime concerns
Concerns about a rise in hate crimes in Nevada County led community members to gather outside the sheriff's office on Monday, demanding accountability and transparency from local officials after a series of assaults."Today we had this protest hoping that it would allow a safe space for other kids to come forward, other people to come forward and make their reports with the sheriff," said Krystal Keller Myers, a concerned community member.Residents have reported a series of incidents, including an assault against LGBTQ youth in August, where charges were initially declined by the district attorney, another incident on Halloween, and a recent attack where a man was targeted with racial slurs while working.In the latest case, two adults and one juvenile were arrested, while a fourth suspect remains at large, according to Grass Valley police."Me and some other moms have been put into a group that we don't want to be in," Myers said, expressing that she believes there is a lack of accountability in the sheriff's office and district attorney's office. Residents expressed frustration over what they perceive as leniency and a lack of information, feeling that these incidents are connected.Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon addressed the concerns, saying, "Sometimes we think of the criminal justice system as being quick and it is not. We want to make sure that the evidence is brought forward, people are identified."Sheriff Moon assured that they are listening to concerns and examining whether there may be overlapping individuals involved in the incidents. The district attorney's office has not yet responded to inquiries about the status of the investigations and community demands.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
