Racist graffiti and a rope resembling a noose were found Friday morning on the clubhouse of Merced Heights Playground.
City and community leaders gathered Friday afternoon in front of Youth 1st, a Black-led nonprofit that leases the clubhouse to offer afterschool programs. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí and Recreation and Parks Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg were some city officials who joined the community at a press conference.
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Jenkins said there was no question that the graffiti and hanging the noose at the front door of the youth center was a hate crime. “The day that it is submitted to my office, we will do everything to make sure that the person or persons responsible for this are held accountable,” she said.
The San Francisco Police Department said officers responded to vandalism report at the park at 8:20 a.m. Officers found graffiti that qualified as a possible hate crime along with a rope resembling a possible noose. No arrests have been made.
“Everyone that doesn't believe that racism is still alive and still alive in San Francisco, it absolutely is,” Safaí said. “But guess what? We're not going to be broken by it. We're going to be stronger for it. We're going to come together as a community. We're going to recognize what it is.”
Renard Monroe, the director of Youth 1st, said it was disappointing to see the center defaced where children learn. The center offers programs to support youth in math, English, science and sports between the ages of five to 15 for the last 24 years.
Community members watching the press conference. | Jerold Chinn/Ingleside Light
“This is not something that anybody wants to experience, but we're here now, and what I want to leave everybody is we don't want to let this divide us,” Monroe said.
Rec and Park crews had already painted over the graffiti as “Wet Paint” signs were posted on the exterior of the youth center Friday afternoon.
Monroe said on Aug. 22, an unidentified woman, whom he had seen with a dog, entered the playground area near the youth center. He then told her about the dog park area just further down the playground. During the confrontation, the woman allegedly said she would shut down the center.
Employees from a state licensing board came to the center questioning if Monroe could run its program at the center. Monroe said there were allegations he was running a daycare center.
Work crews painted over racist graffiti found near the entrance of Youth First. | Jerold Chinn/Ingleside Light
Additionally, park rangers showed up at the youth center after an anonymous noise complaint. Kids were playing musical chairs inside, Monroe said.
Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg said the city’s parks are not immune from societal challenges, but must remain places of joy and happiness.
“They are a place where we are all equal and where we are all equally welcome. They are a place of inclusion, Ginsburg said. “They are a place of joy, and they are a place, a sacred place for our children.”
Police said this is an active investigation and that anyone with information is asked to call the police tip line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.
