Racist graffiti hits Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Police will keep looking for whoever painted racial slurs on two houses and a church for as long as it takes to solve the case, Chief Wes Snyder said Thursday.

Mayor Tom Rowland said the FBI has entered the case because the vandalism potentially is a hate crime. At a news conference, he also announced a $1,000 reward for information leading arrests and convictions.

“We wouldn’t have known people had sprayed our house if it hadn’t been for the neighbors,” said Margaret Arnold, 83, who lives with her sister Norma Hopkins, 79, in one of the homes. “We can’t get outside on our walkers because it’s too rickety.”

The back of the sisters’ home and garage were spray-painted with swastikas and racial slurs. The house next door on Blair Road also was spray-painted this week, but the graffiti already had been removed with a power washer.

Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, across the street from the Arnold home, was spray-painted with racial epithets a few weeks ago, police said.

Chris Spors, president of the Ocoee Region Builders Association, said the paint can only be removed with a product made for graffiti. He said Key James Brick Co. is providing the cleaner, and builders association members along with the Cleveland Habitat for Humanity will clean the brick soon.

Vice Mayor Avery Johnson said at Thursday’s news conference he thinks whoever did this must be from out of town.

“Cleveland is not like what we have seen on the news,” he said.

“I’ve lived here practically all my life, and I’ve never experienced this type of racial activity,” Mr. Johnson said. “We’ve always had a community that’s been able to come together and speak about our differences, face our differences.”

Mr. Rowland said the vandalism is despicable and a cowardly act that will not be tolerated here. He said many people have offered help.

“We were disgusted at what we saw,” Mr. Rowland said after a visit to the homes.

“These are despicable acts by sick people who must be brought to justice and pay for their crime,” Mr. Rowland said. “In Cleveland, when one person is hurt or injured regardless of gender, race or ethnic background, we all feel the hurt.”

Chief Snyder said he could not comment on any possible leads or what the FBI’s role in the case. He said the investigation is ongoing and cautioned people not to jump to conclusions based on what’s known right now.

“It is sad when someone would think this is a humorous or ‘just for fun’ activity,” Chief Snyder said. “There are other individuals who might have an agenda and try to make a political statement.”

Members of the Bradley County Ministerial Association stood behind the Rev. Daniel Sylverston, association president, at the news conference. Members of the local NAACP joined the pastors.

“If you do not live in Cleveland, please go back to where you come from,” Mr. Sylverston said. “Normal persons would never victimize an 83-year-old woman who is a grandmother and has done them no harm,” he said.