City police seek tips on racist vandals

Police yesterday asked for the public's help in identifying vandals who spray-painted racial epithets on the walls and carpet of a Port Richmond house rented to a black couple.

The rowhouse, in the 2900 block of Edgemont Street, was burglarized between Saturday night and late Wednesday morning, when the owner discovered the damage, said Capt. John Darby, commander of the Special Victims Unit.

A cross and "KKK" were spray-painted on a living-room wall. Other graffiti included: "Keep it white. White is right" and "All n-s should be hung."

Front and rear windows were broken, and other interior damage was visible from outside.

"These are very serious crimes that carry very serious penalties," Darby said.

The woman due to move into the property inspected it Saturday evening and found no damage, said Darby, whose unit oversees conflict resolution. However, the woman reportedly encountered some white males who made racially charged remarks while she visited the house.

Darby declined to identify the couple or property owner.

"That's a disgrace," said Helen Murawski, who stopped to look at the house after visiting a hairdresser down the block. "We should all get along together."

Angelo Miscio, 81, who lives around the corner on Monmouth Street, called the vandalism a shame and not representative of the neighborhood he has known all his life.