I wonder if someone were to scribble the word honky, cracker or redneck
on a street sign, would the word 'hate crime' be mentioned? <rolls eyes>

POSTED: 4:24 pm EDT September 15, 2008
UPDATED: 6:47 pm EDT September 15, 2008

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. -- Neighbors Channel 2 spoke with in Murphy Creek Landing in Fayette County didn't even notice the slur in the small, quiet subdivision of 29 homes.

Even the man living in the home directly in front of the sign had no idea someone had written a racial slur on a "Watch for Children" sign.

"I'm from New York so nothing surprises me anymore," said resident Keith Hospedales.

Hospedales, who moved in a year ago with his wife and two sons, said he couldn't imagine anyone in the neighborhood would do such a thing.

"Probably some kids or somebody. Probably some little kid playing around," Hospedales.

"I'd be the first one to go, 'Hello Mr. Sheriff, it's not right.' It really isn't right," said resident John Francis-Nettles.

If the person who defaced the sign had been caught, normally they would face misdemeanor charges. However, because it was a racial slur on the sign, investigators said the district attorney's office could make a case for a hate crime.

"Soon as I learned about it, I contacted our public works department," said interim county administrator Jack Krakeel.

Krakeel said as soon as a neighbor brought the sign to his attention,
public works took action to replace it.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/17478920/detail.html