A racial epithet painted over a street sign directly in front of the house of Baltimore City Councilman Kenneth Harris has prompted a police investigation.
Harris , D-4th District, who lives in Northeast Baltimore, said he discovered the painted sign that sits on the corner of his front yard when he returned home from work Tuesday evening.
“I was shocked and dismayed,” he said. “It?s very troubling.”
Harris said he called 911, and police responded. He also called the Department of Public Works, which removed the sign.
“Like any citizen, I called the proper authorities,” he said. “Both agencies were very, helpful and handled the situation well; I appreciate of that.”
Baltimore Police Department spokesman Matt Jablow said police are investigating the incident.
Marvin “Doc” Cheatham, president of the Baltimore Chapter of the NAACP, said he hoped there would be a thorough probe.
“We hope that the police will immediately investigate and find the sick individual,” he said. “It is also clear we still have problems with race. It will take all of us to work past prejudices that still exist.”
Harris, who is running for City Council president, said he did not know why someone would target him. “I?m not going to be intimated,” he said. “I?m just going to keep doing what I?m doing.”
