Public safety 1

(The Oregonian/OregonLive)

Some Southeast Portland residents woke up to a spate of hate graffiti in their neighborhood Sunday.

Police said an officer found swastikas on cars, fences, trees and other things in the Richmond neighborhood after being called there on reports of hate graffiti.

The swastikas were scrawled along 33rd Avenue between Division Street and Powell Boulevard, police said in a news release. Someone saw a man with a backpack before spotting the graffiti, police said, but officers didn't find him.

Police said people were able to quickly clean the graffiti, which was also on sidewalks and garages. At least six cars were damaged.

Police urged anyone whose property was vandalized to file a police report if they haven't already by calling the bureau's non-emergency line, 503-823-3333. They encourage anyone who has information about the vandalism -- or surveillance video -- to email CrimeTips@portlandoregon.gov.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015