Vince Welch paints over vulgar language spray painted on the garage of a home on Northwest 15 Street. According to police, vandals defaced at least 12 Cape Coral residences between Sunday evening and Monday morning.
*Photograph copyright to the Cape Coral Daily Breeze
by CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 3/24/09
"White pride," read one north Cape Coral home in spray painted letters Monday morning.
On other nearby homes were racial slurs and symbols, such as "Hitler Was Here" and swastikas, painted on mailboxes, the sides of homes, garage doors, doorways and vehicles.
Vandals with bottles of spray paint and a message of hate and vulgarity defaced at least 12 Cape homes between Sunday evening and Monday morning, and also several vehicles including a police cruiser.
Detectives with the Cape Coral Police Department's Property Crimes Unit are investigating the vandalism, which was concentrated in the northwest part of the city.
It was unclear Monday evening whether authorities will consider the vandalism a hate crime.
The vandals hit homes on Northwest 15th Street, Northwest 16th Terrace, Northwest 14th Lane, Northwest 17th Street and Chiquita Boulevard North, said city spokesperson Connie Barron.
One resident, who requested not to be identified, told the Cape Coral Daily Breeze that a family member's vehicle had been burglarized in the past, but nothing of this nature had occurred before.
"I always thought our neighborhood was pretty peaceful," she said. "These people (vandals) need to grow up."
Another resident watched as her father painted over the crude messages on the side of her home and her garage door.
"It's going to cost money I don't have," she said. "I didn't expect someone to paint all over my house."
No one had been charged Monday with the crimes.
Anyone with information is asked to call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-TIPS (8477).
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