PHOENIX — For nearly 20 years Alex Alaniz has called the Green Gables neighborhood near 24th Street and Thomas Road home.
He said the neighbors look out for each other.
“We all do our best to take care of each other,” Alaniz said.
The neighborhood is on alert after Wednesday morning, several people woke to find their cars vandalized and spray painted with hateful and racist messages.
Alaniz said a close friend found his pickup truck with swastikas spray painted on it. He’s unsure why someone would want to target him, or his neighborhood.
“He’s a great guy. He’s very friendly. He doesn’t deserve that. No one deserves that to happen to them,” Alaniz said.
Phoenix police officials say they are now investigating four incidents of criminal damage with a bias element in the neighborhood.
12News found at least three victims.
“It’s crazy how this kind of hatred is everywhere,” says he a man who found his car tagged with an expletive and swastika Wednesday morning.
The man, who didn’t want to be identified, told 12News he initially started thinking about who may have tried to target him.
“The first thing that came to my mind was, 'What did I do? Did I say something to somebody that would cause them to do this?'” he questioned.
People in the neighborhood are concerned about what could happen next and are worried about their safety.
“First it’s the car, then what if they come closer to the door? What if they try to come inside?” the unidentified man said.
Residents hope detectives catch those responsible for the damage.
“Hopefully they can be prosecuted and let the punishment fit the crime,” said Alaniz.
Phoenix police say they have contacted the victims and are now asking for people to share any surveillance video that will help with the investigation.
So far, no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
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