Graffiti raises racial tensions in Covert
COVERT -- Two incidents of spray-painted graffiti on
houses, businesses and Covert schools, allegedly by groups of Hispanic teens,
has increased racial tensions in this mostly black community.
Residents' worries were the prime topic at Tuesday night's Covert Township Board
meeting. The residents asked what can be done to prevent further problems with
teenage gangs and to improve relations among blacks, whites and the township's
growing Hispanic population.
"I work with first-, second- and third-graders at
Covert Public Schools and they're concerned about this," said Delores
Thomas, a Covert resident and school district employee. "I think someone
should catch the perpetrators."
Dorothy Holmes, president of the 20-member Covert Neighborhood Watch group, said
all but one of the homes and businesses hit with graffiti are occupied by black
people. The exception is a home occupied by a Hispanic resident.
"The community needs to wake up," Holmes said. "Within the last
year it seems like we've been bombarded with new Hispanic residents."
Many don't speak English, several people said Tuesday, which contributes to the
cultural rift.
"You don't know what they're saying," Holmes
said. "They communicate with one another, but they don't care about anybody
else. ... It's (cultural differences) creating a fear in the schools."
The two widespread graffiti incidents occurred in May, township police Chief
Rick Winans said. Five Hispanic juveniles between 12 and 16 were apprehended
following the second incident, thanks to a citizen's tip.
However, the citizen said he would not testify in court, and the youths have
denied being involved in the incident, despite having paint on their hands when
arrested, Winans said.
The graffiti consisted mainly of symbols representing the Latin Kings and
Gangster Disciples. Winans described the alleged perpetrators has "gang
wannabes."
Holmes said part of the problem lies with area residents not working together.
"When we have a Neighborhood Watch meeting maybe two or three people show
up," Holmes said. "We have 20 people in the group and they're all
senior citizens except for me.
"Right now Neighborhood Watch is just black residents. People think it's
just a black thing. Unless something bad happens no one shows up."
She said the police liaison officer seldom shows up for meetings.
Holmes said the police department and Covert Public Schools don't work well
together to solve problems that occur at the school.
Winans agreed.
"They don't call us," he said.
That may change, said Andre Reddick, community liaison director for Covert
Public Schools.
"The school administration is deeply distressed (about the graffiti),"
said Reddick, who attended Tuesday's meeting. "We are willing to work with
anyone. We are planning a meeting with Hispanic students and to deal with
cultural misunderstandings."
Reddick told citizens at the meeting that homeowners and businesses could seek
assistance from student volunteers to help clean up the graffiti.
Covert Township has about 3,000 residents. In the 1960s, Covert was
predominately a black community.
In the past 40 years, more whites and Hispanics have settled in the township.
"I'd say it's about a third black, white and Hispanic," Winans said.
He said that if the current influx of Hispanic residents continues, they could
become the majority in a decade or two.
Hispanics have been opening businesses throughout the township within the past
several years, including the former Sarno fruit stand, a new bakery and a food
store.
Holmes encouraged local residents to attend Neighborhood Watch meetings, which
take place at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of the month at the township hall.