Hate Crime Vandalism Discovered In Palo Alto Park Bathroom

PALO ALTO, CA — Palo Alto police are investigating a vandalism case at a park as a hate crime.

The suspect, who is unknown, drew a derogatory racial statement “espousing a hatred of white people” inside a bathroom stall at El Camino Park, according to police. An officer discovered the vandalism on Wednesday afternoon and a public works crew was notified to repair the damage.

The vandalism is believed to have happened on Tuesday or Wednesday, police said, and there is no known connection to a prior hate crime vandalism also reported at the park on May 7.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Palo Alto Police Department’s 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voice mail to (650) 383-8984.