Hastings Police Investigate Hate Graffiti
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Hastings Police are looking for who's responsible for a series of hate graffiti incidents that happened overnight Friday.
Officers said they found racial slurs and other hate messages spray painted on the side of homes, a garage and a vehicle in the 500 block of 18th St. West.
Police said, in all, six properties were damaged and they think it happened around 2 a.m.
"This is a serious crime that is and will continue to be aggressively investigated," said Police Chief Paul Schnell. "We want the person or persons responsible for these crimes identified, arrested and subjected to the full scrutiny of the criminal justice system."
The view out the window has changed drastically for the Plumer's and Makowski's.
"I see someone's name on the front of the house and the words 'hell' and 'Satan' across the street," Heather Makowski said pointing out her window.
In just a few minutes it went from holiday decorations to hateful damage.
"I just woke up and saw a bunch of graffiti on our car and looked at the neighbors saw a lot on the fence and siding," Jeff Wiedmann explained.
Some of the words can't even be shown. Other messages don't make any sense with almost all of it is spelled wrong.
"Whoever did this destruction this evil needs to go back to school," Tammy Plumer said.
Schnell doesn't think targeting such a small cluster of homes is random.
"There is some connection, motive, some reason for it what that is we haven't been able to establish," Schnell said.
Some of this stuff will be able to be cleaned up easily. Not something like siding however, it will wait until spring to be replaced.
"If it was warmer weather we might have a chance to clean the paint off. Not below freezing temps. No way," Rick Plumer said.
Now, the neighborhood left to look at this mess has their own message for whoever did this.
"Shame on you. You need counseling, the words you're writing. It's not right. Not right," Tammy Plumer said.
Police say the damage runs in the tens of thousands of dollars. That's why whoever is responsible faces felony property damage.
If police can prove the damage was motivated by hate or bias it could be considered a hate crime.
Police ask anyone with information about the crime to call the Hastings Police Department at 651-480-2300.
WCCO-TV's Liz Collin Reports
