ARLINGTON, Va. β An investigation is underway after swastikas and racial slurs were found spray painted on a driveway and two cars Monday morning, in the Yorktown neighborhood of Arlington County.
Monday morning Dale Smith says his son came outside their home along N 17th Street , and found a swastika painted in his driveway.
"One of my sons found it and he came and said 'Dad we need to call the police' and I said 'for what?' and then he showed me what he had found and it was a swastika on the driveway," says Smith.
He says a neighbor told him swastikas and racial slurs had also been spray painted.
After looking at his Ring camera, he found a video of what appeared to be what he believes are a group of kids or teens spray painting something on his driveway.
He says even if they're kids, that doesn't excuse their behavior.
"The words that they used. The symbols that they used. They [are] old enough to know what it meant," said Dale.
Smith grew up in Arlington but later moved to Fairfax before moving back to Arlington. The retired Arlington County firefighter has lived in the Yorktown neighborhood for about three decades.
"Before this, it felt really safe, a safe place to raise my kids," said Dale Smith.
Now, he says he's feeling a bit uneasy.
"When I walk into my house, when I walk out of my house it's a different approach now," said Smith.
Smith told WUSA9 he's received an outpouring of support from his neighbors. His message to others who see things like this happening is "if you're not actively helping. You are silently participating," said Smith.
As for the people responsible, he said the parents need to take responsibility.
"My message is for the parents. They know who they are. This is not a one-off thing. No kids sit around and say let's do this one time. They know the mentality. They know what they're doing. If they don't know they should know," said Smith.
Arlington County Police confirmed to WUSA9 Wednesday night, that what happened was being investigated as a possible hate crime:
"The incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Departmentβs Tip Line at 703-228-4180 or ACPDTipline@arlingtonva.us. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477)."
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