Swastikas, Slurs, Profanity Painted in Kensington Neighborhood

Swastikas, racial and ethnic slurs, and profane words were spray painted over some holiday decorations in the Kensington neighborhood of Montgomery County, Maryland, on Saturday.

Montgomery County police said because of the nature of the symbols and racial epithets found, the vandalism is a possible hate crime.

"I think it was probably just some dumb kids that are expressing themselves in an inappropriate way," said resident David Bowie, whose home was vandalized. "I feel bad for the parents."

Investigators believe the vandalism occurred overnight between Friday and Saturday. They said an inflatable Christmas lawn decoration was one of the items defaced.

Bowie said he's going to have to have an uncomfortable conversation with his 8-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son.

"I don't think they understand what a swastika is, and we haven't gone through the history of it yet, but we certainly will," he said. "This is probably for them a good lesson to learn hateful crimes still exist in this country, and that's a sad truth."

The locations of the incidences were confined to one area on Brookfield Drive, Matthews Lane and Summit Avenue.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 301-279-8000.
 

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