Sammamish community rebuffs hateful vandalism

Last week the Klahanie neighborhood was hit with at least 17 spray-painted racial slurs and swastikas. The community is decrying the acts and say they don't represent the people there.

Rituja Indapure has lived in the neighborhood for over a dozen years.

"And we had never had something like this... especially messages of hate," Indapure said. "I think it was a shock to all of us."

The messages included the n-word and swastikas written in red spray paint.

Police launched an investigation and neighborhood Facebook groups called for more surveillance.

There are now homemade signs posted around that say, "Love Not Hate Makes Klahanie Great."

A "peace assembly" on Sunday drew almost two hundred neighbors to Klahanie Park.

Some in the neighborhood have dismissed the taggings, saying it's just kids acting out. Sammamish City Councilmember Pam Stuart disagrees.

"There is no place in the world for any of that kind of behavior. And it isn't 'just kids,'" Stuart said, "There's no 'boys will boys' or 'kids will be kids.' Wrong behavior is wrong behavior no matter who."

The original slurs have been washed away.

But on Tuesday new messages were found, some saying "sorry."

Sammamish Police Sergeant Pete Copeland said they are still looking for a suspect.