Police investigate possible hate crime
CALEXICO — The Calexico Police Department is investigating whether the alleged vandalism last week of a vehicle with anti-immigrant statements in the 2400 block of M. Llanos Court is a possible hate crime.
A report of the vandalism was taken Friday morning, describing a vehicle as having been egged, toilet papered and affixed with a poster containing a hand-written message telling the property owner to “get your ass back to Mexico.”
The investigation remains in its initial stages and no suspect had been identified as of Tuesday morning, said Lt. Gonzalo Gerardo.
“It’s hard for us to say if it is a viable threat, not a viable threat, or just kids being kids,” Gerardo said.
The police report describes solely one vehicle as having been vandalized at the residence in question, and that no such similar incidents have taken place there prior, Gerardo said.
Along with a picture of the vehicle in question, pictures of a second vehicle that appears to have been similarly vandalized have been circulating on social media as well.
An individual with knowledge of the pictures’ origins declined to comment when reached for comment.
In one of the pictures, the vandalized car referenced in the police report is wrapped in toilet paper, and an egg stain and broken egg shell is visible on its windshield.
The vehicle also has a pink poster placed on its windshield with handwriting that states “Trump just ended DACA so please get your ass back to Mexico.”
The pink poster also includes statements that read “#makecaleciagreatagain” and “#TrumpforPresident.”
Pictures of the second allegedly vandalized vehicle also reveal a broken egg shell and egg stain on its passenger side door.
That vehicle’s windshield also has a similar pink-colored poster attached to it, along with a drawing of an identification card made to appear like a visa, or green card, with a stick figure drawing and a reference to “All Vincent Scotts.”
The poster also contains the following statement: “Warning!!! Border Patrols will be at entrance checking for Green Cards. Don’t’ forget them. We don’t want you to forfeit.”
The poster’s reference to “Vincent Scotts” and “forfeit” appear to be connected to a football game between Calexico High School (CHS) and Vincent Memorial High School (VMHS) scheduled to take place the night that the vandalism incident was reported.
Police are looking into the possibility that the alleged vandalism is connected to Thursday’s junior varsity game between the public and private schools, Gerardo said. That game ended with the Scots winning 22-0.
Among Calexico residents, there is a wide perception that many of Vincent Memorial High students are Mexicali residents, he said.
Based on the apparent anti-immigrant language used in one of the posters, Calexico police are treating the alleged incident as a possible hate crime, Gerardo said.
Nor have police ruled out a number of other scenarios that could potentially explain the alleged vandalism.
“There are a lot of unanswered questions,” he said. “We have to look at all of that.”
The initial police report listed vandalism and making criminal threats as potential charges.
The possibility of investigating and prosecuting the alleged incident as a hate crime could lead to stiffer penalties if the perpetrator is identified and arrested.
Both state and federal law protect individuals and their property against violence or threats of violence based on their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability.
Calexico Unified School District Superintendent Maria Ambriz stated in an email Friday that she was made aware of the alleged vandalism incident on Friday afternoon, but had no knowledge of what may have prompted it.
“What I will say is that I do not believe these acts are reflective of or becoming of the students within our community, whether students at VMHS or CHS,” Ambriz stated in the email.
Such acts should not be construed as a display of a “healthy high school rivalry” or competitiveness, and are nothing less than criminal activity that unfairly target one’s neighbor and community, Ambriz stated.
“I believe these to be actions of individuals who exhibited a lack of respect for the property of others, and their acts were immature, irresponsible and reckless,” she said.
Anyone with knowledge of the incident is asked to notify the Calexico Police Department at 760-7682140.