Palo Alto police are investigating a series of reported vandalism cases in public restrooms as hate crimes that did an estimated $3,400 in damage.
Police said Friday that they received three reports in July about spray-painted swastikas, sexual images, graffiti and racial epithets directed at Black people that were found in various public parks and a parking garage’s public restrooms.
On July 4, city Public Works Department staff reported vandalism of swastikas and sexual images inside the men’s restroom at Greer Park on Amarillo Avenue. Police officials said the crime occurred between July 2 and July 4. Public Works staff estimated the damage at $600 and removed the spray paint.
On July 6, another Public Works Department employee reported graffiti inside the men’s restroom at Rinconada Park on Embarcadero Road. The police said there was no hate crime component to the graffiti, and that the crime occurred between June 30 and July 6. Public Works staff estimated the damage at $500 and removed it.
These two cases of vandalism led the Public Works Department to inspect other public restroom facilities around the city. On Thursday, seven additional vandalism hate crimes, revealing racial epithets directed at Black people, were found all in men’s restrooms. The crimes occurred at Ramos Park, Seale Park, Greer Park, El Camino Park, Heritage Park and two city parking garages. The Public Works Department has since removed all the graffiti.
Police estimates damages, investigation continues
These three cases follow a June 11 report of a reported vandalism hate crime spray-painted on the Rinconada Park playground structure. According to police, a racial epithet directed at Black people, swastikas and sexualized language and images were spray painted on June 10 or June 11, with additional reported graffiti the following day.
Palo Alto police said no similar hate crimes were reported in the city before June 11, but three more cases have since followed. In total, the estimated cumulative damage from the vandalism is $3,400.
Suspects who commit vandalism or hate crimes can face misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the amount of damage.
In response to the crimes, officers have increased patrols around the areas of the crimes.
The police said the investigation is ongoing with no current suspect information. Police are unsure if any of the cases are connected.
Anyone with information can call the Palo Alto police 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can also be sent via text message by texting “PAPD” and the tip to 847411.
