CEDAR RAPIDS – Local police and the FBI are investigating a hate crime in Iowa’s second-largest city.
The Cedar Rapids Police Department is investigating a hate crime that was reported at 2307 Bever Avenue SE on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 around 7:30 a.m. Officers found that the front of the home had been spray painted and the graffiti included a racial slur. The racist slur and all graffiti has been removed or painted over.
Police Chief Wayne Jerman said, “The Police Department is committing resources to finding the person or persons who committed this hateful act so they can be held accountable. Cedar Rapids is both a welcoming and inclusive community, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”
Currently, there is no one residing at the home. As the investigation proceeds, the Police Department will work with both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa to determine if federal hate crime statutes are applicable.
Later, the hateful words were removed from the house.