Community members in Newport are angry and upset to learn people were targeted with profanity and racial slurs spray-painted on homes and cars. They said they want their friends and neighbors to know that they are welcome here.”I was really shocked. I kind of know the people, and I just don’t understand why the community can’t get together,” said Kim Chase, of Newport. Images shared with News 9 show a racial slur spray-painted on a Newport home. It’s one of about half a dozen incidents Newport police are investigating.”It makes me very sad,” one community member, who wanted to remain anonymous, said. “Where does that come from? Where does that come from in a community this size?”The homeowners asked not to be identified, but told News 9 they are an interracial family, writing, “the graffiti was removed, but the hatred and fear linger.” Newport police Chief Alex Lee said they are working with the attorney general’s civil rights unit on the investigation. “We don’t believe these were Halloween-related pranks, such as throwing eggs or toilet paper or something like that,” Lee said. “These were much more serious offenses and again, the initial indications indicated they may have been motivated by an unlawful bias.”The vandalism comes just days after someone smashed in windows on town school buses. Chase has called this area home for years and said this is not a reflection of the town she knows and loves.”Like, who’s doing it? Who has to keep this stuff going?” Chase said. “Why can’t they find the good in things? Why can’t they just do happy things? Just hurtful, hurtful.”Police said there were similar incidents reported in other nearby communities in the Upper Valley Monday night, including Claremont and Springfield. They’re asking anyone who may have home security camera footage or other information to call investigators.
Community members in Newport are angry and upset to learn people were targeted with profanity and racial slurs spray-painted on homes and cars.
They said they want their friends and neighbors to know that they are welcome here.
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“I was really shocked. I kind of know the people, and I just don’t understand why the community can’t get together,” said Kim Chase, of Newport.
Images shared with News 9 show a racial slur spray-painted on a Newport home.
It’s one of about half a dozen incidents Newport police are investigating.
“It makes me very sad,” one community member, who wanted to remain anonymous, said. “Where does that come from? Where does that come from in a community this size?”
The homeowners asked not to be identified, but told News 9 they are an interracial family, writing, “the graffiti was removed, but the hatred and fear linger.”
Newport police Chief Alex Lee said they are working with the attorney general’s civil rights unit on the investigation.
“We don’t believe these were Halloween-related pranks, such as throwing eggs or toilet paper or something like that,” Lee said. “These were much more serious offenses and again, the initial indications indicated they may have been motivated by an unlawful bias.”
The vandalism comes just days after someone smashed in windows on town school buses.
Chase has called this area home for years and said this is not a reflection of the town she knows and loves.
“Like, who’s doing it? Who has to keep this stuff going?” Chase said. “Why can’t they find the good in things? Why can’t they just do happy things? Just hurtful, hurtful.”
Police said there were similar incidents reported in other nearby communities in the Upper Valley Monday night, including Claremont and Springfield.
They’re asking anyone who may have home security camera footage or other information to call investigators.