Marco Island police are investigating after a racial slur was spray-painted on a construction site off Butterfield Court.
A neighbor who reported the vandalism said surveillance video shows two teens spray-painting a porta-potty and the gravel with the n-word. She also found her mailbox vandalized.
Police say the incident happened Saturday night, just after 9 p.m. The teens trespassed onto the site and were fishing before spray-painting the slur. Officers took photos for evidence before moving the gravel to erase it.
Locals hope those responsible are caught.
“They should be able to clean up the mess that they made. And they should be talked to by the parents,” said Marco Island resident Anthony Panaro.
“I think if they're caught, I think they should be made to go to a class to show them how hurtful that really is to people. Maybe they'll know better in the future,” said Norman Falcone.
Marco Island police continue to investigate. The State Attorney’s Office will determine whether it is a hate crime.