Vandals Defile Black Business in Beverly Hills

Racist vandalism soured the holiday spirit for Beverly Hills businesswoman Larryette De Bose, the latest target in Los Angeles County’s growing number of hate crimes.

“White Power,” “KKK,” a swastika and a racial epithet were spray-painted around the lobby of De Bose’s small, Robertson Boulevard word-processing and mailbox business, one of the few black-owned businesses along a trendy row of eateries and boutiques.

“This is apparently all someone had to do for Thanksgiving,” De Bose said Saturday as she surveyed the damage at her out-of-the-way office on the second level of a small commercial building. “It’s a sad commentary on our society.”

Their peaceful four-day holiday shattered, De Bose and her husband, Charles, on Saturday were wondering how to clean up the mess and just what it all means.

“It makes you stop and take notice,” said De Bose. “Is it possible that this is dangerous? Could I be vulnerable? Are they serious? Or is it just a kids’ thing?”

Beverly Hills police said Saturday they are investigating the incident. Lt. Frank Salcido said such cases are rare in the city. Earlier this year, however, a large swastika was burned into the lawn of an apartment house near Beverly Hills High School.

Eugene Mornell, executive director of the county Human Relations Commission, which tracks hate crimes, said racist vandalism has been on the rise in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, where white supremacist “skinhead” groups have been active. But such incidents are unusual in Beverly Hills and the Westside area, which has a large Jewish population, he said.

The defacement of De Bose’s office is part of a “countywide pattern of increased incidents,” Mornell said. “There’s a lot of fear and resentment of the changing population.”

The commission reported 267 hate crimes in the county last year, a number that has been increasing since statistics were first compiled in 1980. In 1988, blacks were targets in nearly two-thirds of the crimes, including racist vandalism, assaults and harassment.

De Bose, who has operated her Brass Box Business Center for three years, said she and her ethnically diverse business neighbors have had no hint of trouble before.

Jaime Weinstein, who owns a hair salon next door, said: “We have a Greek, a German, a black and a Jew. We haven’t had any problems. . . . This is ridiculous. Senseless.”