Antisemitic messages spray-painted at Encino park is latest case of hate speech spotted in SoCal
ENCINO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A concerning spike in antisemitism is popping up around Southern California. For the third week in a row, hate speech has been vandalized in a SoCal community.
On Saturday, disturbing messages were written on multiple businesses in Encino. The hateful messages are now gone, but neighbors say they fear they will return.
"I was pretty disgusted to see all of this," one neighbor said.
Someone spray-painted the words "Israel did 9/11" on a utility box.
'It's scary, first of all, and second of all, it's just sad," a neighbor said.
"Racism. It's becoming normal, unfortunately, in our society. Hatism is becoming normal," another neighbor said.
The neighbors, who hid their faces for their safety, told Eyewitness News they believe the vandal targeted the area around Ventura Boulevard because there are several Jewish-owned businesses nearby.
Properties were also spray-painted with swastika symbols.
Some neighbors believe the political climate is driving the hate speech.
"When we have leaders promoting that Haitian immigrants are eating cats and dogs, and when they say people crossing the border are rapists and criminals, this is then the consequence of it," a neighbor said. "It's just really sad to see this trickle down. If it's not in your community right now, it will be."
In recent weeks, hateful graffiti has hit other neighborhoods in SoCal.
In Camarillo, Ventura County sheriff's deputies are looking into who spray-painted a backwards swastika and racist words at a local park last weekend.
Earlier this month in Tarzana, a tarp covered antisemitic writings that were discovered outside Wilbur Elementary.
Back in Encino, Eyewitness News cameras captured police talking to neighbors and canvassing the area.
In a statement, Mayor Karen Bass said the vandal will be held accountable:
"Recent instances of antisemitism in Valley neighborhoods are absolutely unacceptable.
The graffiti has been removed and LAPD will conduct extra patrols throughout the weekend at Jewish places of worship and the nearby community.
Those responsible must be held accountable."
The vandalism happened in Councilwoman Nithya Raman's district. Her team sent park staff to paint over the antisemitic graffiti.
A spokesperson says hate speech and crimes have no place in Los Angeles, adding, "Our office will always promptly respond in coordination with our city partners to remove such vandalism in support of our community."
Neighbors here are encouraging people to report hateful graffiti as soon as they see it.
