Racial Slur and Swastikas Sprayed on Black Family Car in San Pedro, CA
San Pedro, CA—An African-American family is grappling with the aftermath of a deeply unsettling incident after they discovered their car vandalized with a racial slur and swastikas, leaving them shaken and contemplating a move to ensure their safety. The incident is currently being investigated as a possible hate crime.
“I couldn’t believe this happened to me in San Pedro,” says Reginald Scott, the victim, expressing his disbelief. The disturbing event unfolded right before New Year’s Day, when Scott found his red Ford Mustang defaced with a large message: “Merry Christmas,” followed by an offensive racial slur, all painted in black spray paint. The other side of the car had indiscernible lettering, accompanied by swastikas on the bumper, and his tires were also slashed.
Scott suspects that the vandalism may be in retaliation for parking in front of someone’s house. His son emphasized, “Even if you’re parked where you’re not supposed to be, I don’t think that gives you the right to spray paint somebody’s car and call them a racial slur. That’s hurtful.”
This is not the first time Scott has been targeted. He recounted two previous incidents, one involving his truck being set on fire around two years ago and another during Halloween where vandals cut his truck tires and sprayed offensive material on it. The escalating nature of these incidents has left Scott and his family feeling increasingly unsafe in their community.
Scott filed a police report in the hope that the perpetrators will be apprehended soon. However, the family’s sense of security has been profoundly impacted, with Scott’s wife expressing heightened concern for their safety. “She doesn’t want the doors to be unlocked. She’s pretty much on high alert,” Scott revealed.
The Scott’s have set up a Gofundme to help with safety measures and possible relocation efforts.