PALO ALTO — The latest discovery of hate-related vandalism depicting a swastika in a park restroom over the holiday weekend has spurred a broader inspection of public facilities that uncovered more than a half-dozen hateful scrawlings across the city and a related police investigation, authorities said.
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An employee of the Palo Alto Public Works Department contacted police the morning of July 4 to report finding spray-painted swastikas paired with sexual images inside men’s restroom at Greek Park on Amarillo Avenue. An investigation determined that it had been put within the prior two days, according to Palo Alto police.
That was followed by another graffiti report July 6 at Rinconada Park, though that did not have hate implications, police said. But the two recent instances, when evaluated along with a similar June 11 finding at Riconada Park — when swastikas and a racial epithet were spray-painted on playground equipment — prompted a closer examination of city facilities, including public parking garages.
Police said the ensuing July 9 audit found graffiti depicting racial epithets aimed at Black people at El Camino Park, Greer Park, Heritage Park, Ramos Park and Seale Park, as well as City Parking Garage C-7 and City Parking Garage S/L. The total cost of removing the graffiti in all of the publicized instances was about $3,400.
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There are no identified suspects in the graffiti incidents — anyone implicated could face misdemeanor or felony charges — and police noted that there is no indication at this point that the same people were behind each case. But the police department announced Friday that patrols have been stepped up at the affected sites.
Anyone with information about the vandalisms can contact police at 650-329-2413 or text 847411 and including the keyword “PAPD.” A Palo Alto police smartphone app is also available to submit tips.
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