Police Increase Patrols After Possible Hate Crimes
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)- Aurora police say there have been five incidents in which racist graffiti was spray painted on doors of an apartment complex on the city's southeast side.
The first two incidents occurred in November. Both times the same door of an African-American family was hit. That led to a news conference by Aurora's mayor and police chief stating such acts will not be tolerated.
Now three more similar incidents have occurred so far this month. The same racist graffiti was left on the doors of African-American families in the same apartment complex.
A black neighbor at one of the locations vandalized told CBS4 he is afraid that there may be more incidents. His mother asked that CBS4 not use his name for fear that they will be targeted too.
Barbara Shannon-Banister with the City of Aurora in the Community Relations Division, says Aurora is the most diverse city in the nation. She said people of different backgrounds live with each other, not in segregated areas.
"We will not be afraid. we will stand up to this," said Shannon-Banister.
Aurora police are asking for help from the public and identifying whoever is responsible for the graffiti attacks.
Anyone with information regarding these crimes is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). You can text to CRIMES (274637) then title DMCS and enter your message or send an e-mail to metro-denvercrimestoppers.com. If the information you provide leads to the arrest and charging of a wanted individual, you can receive a cash reward up to $2,000.
CBS4's Rick Sallinger is a Peabody award winning reporter who has been with the station more than two decades doing hard news and investigative reporting. Follow him on Twitter @ricksallinger.