Hate crimes intensify

A vandal or vandals spray-painted swastikas and “white power” across southwest Chico over the weekend.

Around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday (June 2), the Chico Police Department responded to a call regarding graffiti on the 1000 block of Poppy Street and at Rico’s Tamales on Cherry Street, according to a press release, and found swastikas spray painted at both locations. Officers later discovered nine other vandalized locations, including private homes, businesses and public transit property. Police are working on locating security camera footage. Anyone with information should call 897-4900.

This is the most recent in a rash of such incidents. Last month, a Mechoopda-Maidu mural celebrating Native American culture in downtown Chico was similarly vandalized. And in April, Chico State reported “racist and homophobic graffiti” at Butte Hall.