Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McOsker Thursday said he was “horrified” by reports of a San Pedro family’s car being vandalized with a racial slur and swastikas sometime between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
“I was horrified to learn of the disgusting, vile vandalism that occurred in San Pedro over the holidays,” McOsker, whose 15th District includes San Pedro, said in a statement.
“I have spoken to LAPD’s Harbor Division leadership and we are very clear that whoever defaced Mr. (Reginald) Scott’s car is to be found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, specifically as a hate crime.”
KTLA-TV reported that Scott’s red Ford Mustang had the message “Merry Christmas,” followed by the n-word, spray-painted on one side. The other side was painted with indiscernible lettering, while the bumper was sprayed-painted with swastikas, and the vehicle’s tires were slashed.
“The words and symbols spray-painted on the car cause real, tangible terror and harm to our neighbors and our community,” McOsker said. “I do not take this lightly. I have spoken to Mr. and Mrs. Scott to offer my support as they go through this unimaginable pain that their family is dealing with at this time. This crime is hateful, deplorable and has no place here in the 15th Council District or anywhere.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn also released a statement Thursday regarding the incident, saying, “Few of us can imagine the fear and anger that Mr. Scott and his family are feeling after this most recent attack.”
“Both as Supervisor and as a resident of this community, I am outraged and saddened that one of our neighbors could be targeted in such a vile way,” Hahn said. “My thoughts are with the Scott family.
“In San Pedro and in all of L.A. County, everyone belongs and everyone deserves to live in peace. I understand the LAPD Harbor Division is working hard to identify the perpetrator of this hate crime so that they can be held accountable.”
According to KTLA, Scott said that his wife is concerned for her family’s safety.
“She doesn’t want the door to be unlocked, ” Scott told KTLA. “She’s pretty much on high alert.”
Scott told the station he believes the vandalism might have come in retaliation for parking in front of someone’s house.
“Even if you’re parked where you’re not supposed to be, I don’t think that gives you the right to spray-paint somebody’s car and call them a racial slur,” Scott’s son told the station. “That’s hurtful.”
KTLA also reported that Scott had been targeted similarly at least two times, which included his truck being set on fire about two years ago and his truck tires cut and further vandalized with a substance sprayed on them during Halloween.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Scott.
“We … no longer feel safe,” the GoFundMe page says. “It would be so wonderful to have the community support us through this difficult time, and help us move and recreate the peace our household once had.”