From Eugene Police and City Manager’s Office of Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement:
On April 25, there were numerous calls beginning at 7 a.m. regarding hate graffiti at different locations near W. 18th Avenue and Chambers Street. It appears the graffiti started on the west side of the Boys and Girls Club, 1545 W. 22nd Avenue, on the bike path by the Frisbee golf course and it continued on the bike path over the bike bridge at W. 18th, toward Cesar Chavez school, where the path ends. There was graffiti on the sidewalk behind the school. The graffiti also continued under the Chambers’ Street bike bridge for several feet. The graffiti contained swastikas, references to ‘white power,’ and drawings of male genitalia. Eugene Police Investigations is actively working this case.
We thank community members for swiftly responding to the hate graffiti and reporting it to the Eugene Police Department and the Office of Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement (HRNI). Community action to report incidents like this allow the City of Eugene to swiftly respond by taking reports and removing the hateful graffiti from our public spaces. The Eugene Police Department asks for your help in identifying the person or people responsible for this graffiti. If you have any information about this incident please contact EPD at 541.682.5111, and reference Case 1806607.
Hate activity is not welcome in our community. Actions like these incite fear and are taken seriously. In alignment with the City Council’s goal of creating a Safe Community, the City is committed to addressing and investigating hate crimes. We will continue to work with our partners to create a community where every person, regardless of their identity, is safe, respected and welcome.
According to the Department of Justice’s most recent Hate Crime Victimization Report it was estimated nationally that about 2/3 of all hate crimes were unreported to police. To report a hate crime contact the Eugene Police Department. For active incidents and emergencies dial 911, for all non-emergencies dial 541-682-5111. To report non-criminal activity contact the Office of Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement at 541-682-5177.
For Eugene to be truly safe, vibrant, and welcoming for all our residents and visitors it is essential to continue to provide support to victims of bias activity and to develop and implement strategies to reduce this activity and the underlying attitudes that perpetuate it. HRNI remains steadfast in our commitment to play that role in Eugene.