Dozens of Centennial neighbors victims of vandalism spree

CONTAINS POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE IMAGES Take a look, and you’ll see why folks in the Centennial neighborhood are really on edge. Here’s what they didn‘t show on TV …

In addition to cars being spray-painted, additional disgusting slogans, such as this one, are found painted on outer East Portland neighbors’ houses and mailboxes.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Just a block west of Parklane Park, in the Centennial neighborhood, neighbors along SE Hawthorne Court were the victims of what officials call a “spray-paint vandalism spree” in the early morning hours of August 5.

Calls started coming in to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) about 2:23 a.m., sending East Precinct officers to the area between the park and SE 151st Avenue, along Hawthorne Court.

“Who would do something like this?” asked Gladys Smith, looking at the front door of a house across the street, spray painted with vile graffiti.

“What’s the point of this?” queried Smith to East Portland News.

Front and garage doors were spray painted with black paint, as were cars, trucks, and boats parked in the area.

Here’s another example of the disgusting vandalism done to a garage door. CLICK HERE to see the un-retouched image.

“Officers arrived in the area and spoke to one witness who reported seeing three juvenile males in the area at the time of the vandalism,” said PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson. “One of the juveniles was riding a skateboard.”

Officers observed a number of vehicles and considerable property damaged by spray paint, and contacted 16 victims to make reports, Simpson added. “Officers observed at least 30 additional vehicles and property damaged by spray paint.”
After searching the area, officers didn’t locate the suspects.

Neighborhood residents, who found their property vandalized, but haven’t yet reported the crime, are asked to do so now – using the PPB’s Online Reporting website: CLICK HERE to open it – or by calling the Police Non-Emergency line at 503-823-3333.

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