Graffiti appearing to target the immigrant community is being investigated on the Mount Jefferson Park Trail, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
Police believe the graffiti appeared between 11 p.m. Friday (Oct. 23) and 6:30 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 24) at multiple locations on the park trail. The graffiti contained the words “ICE,” “REPORT TO DEPORT,” and the phone number “1-866-DHS-2-ICE.”
Police are looking to identify a person of interest found in surveillance footage. Detectives have canvassed the impacted areas, interviewed residents, reviewed video footage and obtained a search warrant.
APD said it “takes these incidents seriously and recognizes the concern that messages of this nature can create within our community.”
“Incidents that incite fear or make members of our community feel targeted have no place in Alexandria,” Police Chief Tarrick McGuire said in a release. “Every member of our community deserves to feel safe and respected. We are committed to thoroughly investigating these incidents, and we are asking for the community’s help in identifying those responsible.”
Anyone with information about the person of interest or incident can contact Detective Kay at 703-746-6263. Tips may be anonymous. Residents with video footage or photos in the 100 and 200 blocks of Clifford Avenue, the 3000 block of Manning Street, or areas around Mount Jefferson Park Trail can submit them as evidence to APD online.
Over a week ago, officials also raised concerns about flyers distributed in Alexandria asking residents to report violations of undocumented immigrants voting in federal elections or illegally living in the U.S. Mayor Alyia Gaskins said the flyers equated to voter intimidation and were reported to APD for investigation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed to WTOP it did not distribute the flyers, which had a DHS logo on them.
