Racist Graffiti Found at Recreation Center

Vandals painted racist graffiti on rocks and buildings in the Chatsworth Park South Recreation Center over the weekend, causing $3,800 in damage, authorities said Monday.

No arrests were made in the incident, which occurred sometime Saturday night or early Sunday morning, said Senior Park Ranger Jerry Case.

The graffiti, which is expected to be cleaned up by today, included gang slogans and racist remarks against African Americans, Asians, Iranians and Indians, police said.

A large rock that greets visitors who enter the narrow roadway into the park was tagged with the words “[African Americans] must die” in blue paint.

“I was really scared when I saw it,” said recreation coordinator Michon Rickman, who reported the graffiti Sunday morning. “I’m the only African American [working] here. I was very shaken up. During the day I feel safe, but not at night anymore.”

Rickman said this was the first incident of its kind at the center, which sits at the foot of the Santa Susana Mountains.

Along with graffiti on several rocks and the front walls of the center, damage included graffiti in the men’s restroom, the storage box and water utility box, Case said.