HOUSTON — Houston police are investigating after someone tagged homes in Montrose, west of downtown, with hateful graffiti.
They spray-painted eight swastikas on four homes that residents say have been empty for years.
"I don't care who it is. This is a symbol of hate," Katie Morgan told us. "My neighbor just rolled by with her five-year-old and three-year-old and we heard the five-year-old explaining to other neighbors about how the swastikas are symbols of hate."
Neighbors alerted the Houston Police Department after waking up Thursday to find the disturbing graffiti near Stanford and West Pierce.
There's added concern because of the increase in hate crimes against Jewish people since Israel's war with Hamas started.
"It's just plain not acceptable. Yes, there is a war. Yes, there are politicians going at each other but as people, we need to practice love and we need to work together," Morgan said.
Houston police told us that this sort of vandalism will likely be classified as criminal mischief, then will be determined if it will be referred to the hate crimes division.
"These are painted across multiple views for so many people to see very clearly and it's a personal attack," Morgan said. "It's a personal attack on everyone, whether Jewish or not, because it is a symbol of hate."
The residents also wanted to know who is responsible for cleaning it up. They said the homes were already eyesores and now it's even worse.
We reached out to the City of Houston officials. They said the owners will have ten days to clean up the graffiti. If the city has to send crews to take care of it, the owners could face a lien on their property.
Neighbors say Monday is Holocaust Remembrance Day. And in light of this vandalism, they ask others to take time to learn about the Holocaust.