News

Hate messages spray painted on cars and signs in Methuen

METHUEN, Mass. — Residents living in the Forest Lake area of West Methuen woke up on Sunday morning to profane messages spray painted on cars and signs all around their neighborhood, according to the Valley Patriot.

The messages were composed mostly of Nazi swastikas and one crude word.

There were also reports of hate messages painted on three cars near the Methuen line in the bordering town of Dracut.

Methuen Police are currently investigating the incident and believe this is not a hate crime, but rather kids in the neighborhood attempting to instill fear in the community with a hate crime hoax.

According to Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon, officers have been canvassing the area for evidence and using neighbor's home surveillance video in an attempt to identify the suspects.

"This is such a terrible act of vandalism, we are very upset that somebody would do this in our city and we will continue to investigate. Hopefully, we will be able to bring those responsible to justice. We are taking this very seriously," said Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon. “We are asking people in the area to please let us know if they have been a victim of the graffiti before trying to remove it, so that we can get photos and evidence.”

Chief Solomon said the people who were victimized did not share any particular ethnicity or religion.