State police speak out against hate crimes

BOWERS BEACH, Del. (AP) -
Six state police officials, including Colonel Thomas MacLeish, attended a press conference today at a bridge where racist graffiti was found.

MacLeish says the perpetrators are subject to arrest if they're caught.

The graffiti was discovered by residents of Dover's House of P.R.I.D.E., who were on their way to a fishing trip in Bowers Beach.

State officials called today's news conference to confront hate crimes, which they say are still a problem in Delaware.

House of P.R.I.D.E. Director Marian Harris says black men from the rehabilitation program used to go fishing three or four times a week. But she says only white men have been going fishing since the racist words and illustrations were spotted on the bridge.

Delaware Department of Transportation employees painted over the images and words today after the press conference.

Source: WMDT