MEETING SET ON SPATE OF HATE CRIMES.

Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer

Lacretia Mayfield is at a loss to explain to her children the racial tension in their hometown.

It's an issue that the 25-year-old mother of three wants local officials to acknowledge and address openly in hopes that discussion will bring harmony to the Antelope Valley.

``It's crazy beating up on somebody because they're black or because they are white,'' Mayfield said. ``My kids ask `momma, why did they beat up the black guy? Why did they beat up the white guy?' I tell them I don't know. Why can't we get along?''

Four hate crimes have been reported in the 10 days since a 16-year-old African-American was attacked with a machete by three skinheads as he walked along Division Street with his 17-year-old cousin.

Hoping to ease what some fear is mounting tension, a coalition of minority rights organizations have scheduled a rally for today to address hate crimes.

Among the organizers are the NAACP, The Rainbow Coalition, The Brotherhood Crusade, the Black Heritage League and the Antelope Valley Coalition For Racial Healing. The rally is scheduled for noon at Whosoever Will Christian Church, 37707 Palm Vista.

``If nothing is done the hatemongers have a free hand,'' said Barbara Ward of the Antelope Valley Coalition For Racial Healing.

In response to the five reported attacks in recent days, the Sheriff's Department has brought in a Gang Enforcement Team composed of eight deputies and a sergeant, said Deputy Paul Ullman.

``Obviously they are up here because of the recent hate crimes,'' Ullman said.

Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts said his city is addressing the problem, but advised people to keep the issue in perspective. Roberts points to the fact the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission reported eight hate crimes in the Antelope Valley in 1995 compared to 793 hate crimes - an average of more than two a day - in the city of Los Angeles.

``We've been targeted by the media. We're getting a reputation that we don't want and that we don't deserve,'' Roberts said. ``The basic person of this area is a good, God-fearing person who came here because they wanted a better quality of life. It bothers me that that's not picture being painted.''

The cities of Lancaster and Palmdale have agreed to create a valleywide hotline to report hate crimes. The hotline was one of the recommendations in a report compiled by the Antelope Valley Human Relations Study Group, an ad hoc committee studying hate crimes.

Other recommendations include encouraging community organizations, churches and schools to report hate crimes and assisting victims through counseling and the cleanup of graffiti.

``We have a plan that is in writing. It's designed for an Antelope Valley movement, not just Lancaster,'' said Lancaster Vice Mayor Henry Hearns. ``I'm hoping Palmdale will grab this up and go with it.''

One point of the report that has not been resolved is the creation of an Antelope Valley task force to oversee the plan. The Lancaster City Council has endorsed the task force, but Palmdale is debating whether the tasks should be handled by the cities rather than a newly formed task force. Nevertheless both cities agree it's time to act.

``We need to implement this plan quickly. There's pressure now to start performing,'' said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford.

Ledford said he is worried that racial tension could fracture the Antelope Valley.

``I'm not going to minimize it because it's real,'' Ledford said. ``Ninety-five percent of our population gets along just fine. However, all it takes is one incident to cause a tear in the community. It's that ignorant element that can divide us.''

The spate of race-related attacks is a hot topic of discussion, but opinion varies among civic leaders, civil rights organizations and the public at large as to the extent of the problem. Opinions range from those who say the problem is being exaggerated to those who say the problem is worse than what is being reported.

John Buckles, 17, of Leona Valley said racism has been a problem but is just now getting noticed.

``The black community is realizing there is a problem in the community,'' Buckles said. ``It's sad that it takes a violent incident to get people aware.''

The problem is bad and getting worse, said Patricia Sablowski, 16, of Palmdale.

``I think it's getting worse,'' Sablowski said. ``When I first moved here it was peaceful. You never heard of any stabbings.''

But Sinead Young, 18, of Palmdale doesn't see a serious problem.

``It's been blown way out of proportion,'' Young said. ``It's just a couple of people giving bad representation of the majority.''

The Rev. Patricia Carroll of the First AME Church in Palmdale urged her congregation to strive for racial tolerance.

``I told them it was a challenge to us, for all races, to bring this to peace,'' Carroll said. ``We don't want to go back to the '40s and '50s. We don't need any more riots.''

To Peter Robles, past president of Latinos for Social Justice, racial conflict is a problem, but reports have been squelched by the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale and the news media to save the foundering local economy, he said.

``In the scheme of things we're not the worst place in the U.S. We do have a growing, mounting problem,'' Robles said. ``We're at a critical juncture where you can't hide it any more.''