Effigy Hanging At Former County Councilman's Glen Burnie Property

GLEN BURNIE, MD — Anne Arundel County police are investigating an effigy after a former county councilman discovered hanging from a tree on his Glen Burnie property. Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime.

Daryl Jones told WBAL that the land in the 7300 block of East Furnace Branch Road has been in his family for 100 years. The location of the effigy was once the site of Dotson's Tavern, a landmark with a notable place in local African-American history and a place where many African-Americans socialized. His sister discovered the effigy.

"They saw something that they thought was hanging from a tree, so they came over to investigate and noticed the effigy that was hanging from the tree. I can tell you the results of the action have certainly stoked a lot of concern in the community," Jones said.

The effigy was constructed out of cardboard, trash bags and shirts. Anne Arundel County police Sgt. Jacklyn Davis said the 22-year-old man who hung the effigy and lives near the property where it was found has been identified.

"According to him, he says it was a Halloween decoration and he thought it was on his property," David told WBAL.