Police are investigating after several fences were vandalized with political messages Saturday morning in Stoneham, Massachusetts.
Stoneham police received a call from a resident around 8 a.m. for a report of vandalism in the area of Oak and Elm streets. Responding officers discovered multiple pieces of red spray painted graffiti on fences.
"Vote Trump 2020!" and "Police Lives Matter!" were written across one fence. Similar graffiti was located on another fence on the opposite side of the street.
"We’re very disappointed to see this type of vandalism in our community and would like to remind everyone that it will not be tolerated," Chief James McIntyre said in a statement.
Neighbors like Michael Hill say nothing like this usually happens in the neighborhood.
Hill says he was unhappy when he received a call from Stoneham police Saturday morning informing him that his property had been vandalized. His fence was one of two in the area that had “Police Lives Matter” written in red spray paint.
He says he doesn't know what kind of message the graffiti is supposed to send.
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Hill's neighbor's home across the street also had the words, "Vote Trump 2020!" on it.
The owner of that house told NBC10 Boston that he doesn’t think his political lawn signs have anything to do with it.
Neighbor Cameron Laing says the whole thing is crazy.
"It’s a really nice neighborhood,” he said.
Laing says he moved to the neighborhood last year and finds the vandalism disheartening.
"I support the police but not like this," Laing said. "This is vandalism.”
Hill had his fence cleaned off within hours. He says he doesn't get too angry about things but he hopes it won't happen again.
Stoneham police say whoever is responsible for the vandalism could face a charge of felony defacement of personal property, which is punishable by up to three years in prison and up to a $1,500 fine, or three times the property value.
Anyone with information regarding the vandalism is asked to call the Stoneham Police Department at 781-438-1215.
The incident remains under investigation by the Stoneham Police Department. Officers say they will maintain increased vigilance in seeking out potential vandalism activity in town.
