ICE hotline painted on Alexandria trail

Alexandria police are investigating anti-immigrant graffiti as a bias incident after spray-painted messages appeared on a park pathway in the city. The vandalism was found at multiple spots along the Mount Jefferson Park trail on Clifford Avenue.

The markings included the words "ICE" and "REPORT TO DEPORT." Painted directly beneath the text was the telephone number for the ICE hotline. Investigators determined the work occurred between 11 p.m. on Friday and 7 a.m. on Saturday.

The department obtained a search warrant and released an image of a possible suspect. Police are reviewing photos from eyewitnesses that may show the same individual. The Alexandria Police Chief stated that acts intended to make community members feel targeted have no place in the city.

This is the second recent anti-immigration display in the area. Two weeks prior, residents found flyers with the Department of Homeland Security seal on their vehicles. Those flyers urged people to report potential immigration and voting law violations.

In a written statement, DHS addressed both the flyers and the graffiti. The department said, "Vandalism is a crime, so is being in our country illegally. We encourage all patriotic Americans to help DHS law enforcement uphold the nation's immigration laws."

Residents expressed concern about the timing of the incident. Jenn Walker, a neighborhood resident, said the late-night timing showed the person knew the act was wrong and was trying to scare people. Kristine Styry, another neighbor, described the graffiti as a tactic to make people vote a certain way.

Police are preparing for the upcoming election. Officials noted that policing polling locations is not the department's role, but officers will uphold the Constitution. Authorities continue to ask for information regarding the suspect.