New Details Released Concerning Racist Slurs Painted On Guilford House

GUILFORD, CT — Police revealed more details about the discovery of racist slurs painted on a house in Guilford and town officials condemned whoever is responsible for the hateful remarks. Police say they are working diligently to solve the case.

In a letter to town residents, Guilford Police Chief Jeffrey C. Hutchinson wrote:

On June 20, 2017 at 0645 AM the Guilford Police Department received a report from a passing pedestrian that a home on Old Whitfield Street was vandalized with spray paint. Guilford police immediately responded and discovered that racist Anti-Asian slurs were painted in two locations on the home.

Contact was made with the homeowners, who, until that time, were unaware of the damage. The owners/residents of the home are not Asian, however, Guilford has a substantial number of residents of Asian descent, including in the area where the graffiti was painted.

An officer on scene painted over the graffiti after speaking with the homeowner and documenting the damage. Those who paint graffiti do it for one reason only - to ensure that as many people as possible view it. In an effort to discourage future damage, and minimize exposure of the message, it is common practice in policing to immediately paint over any graffiti.

This demonstrates a clear commitment to minimize the exposure of the message, to demonstrate an awareness of the crime, to make clear that the crime will not be tolerated, and to show that this is not their territory.

The Guilford Police Department immediately began and continues to pursue thorough and detailed investigation. As a Department, we condemn this or any other act of hatred and ignorance against any individual or group.

We commit our full resources to identifying and holding responsible those who commit these crimes. In pursuing any investigation, it is important for us to identify facts and evidence and then develop our theories based upon those facts.

Making premature conclusions or making assumption about the act itself, the offender(s), the intended victims, or unintended victims of any crime is not an option for us. Therefore, these investigation often take more time than anyone would prefer.

Understandably, there has been widespread condemnation of this crime locally, especially through social media platforms. Expression of shock and calls for unity are welcome, and we certainly echo the sentiments being shared.

The unfortunate reality is that, while Guilford is in fact a welcoming, kind, and safe community, and incidents of this nature in Guilford are rare, no town is fully insulated from the level of ignorance and hatred demonstrated by this crime.

As we continue our investigation, and in moving forward, please take an active role in your community by assisting the police whenever possible if you have any information regarding this crime or any other. The eyes and ears of our citizens only expand our ability to investigate crimes and improve the quality of life for all who live, work, or visit here. Help us to ensure that Guilford is and continues to be an example of a town built on the concepts of community, family, kindness and acceptance.

In a sign of unity, town officials also put out a statement condemning the hateful vandalism.