Neighbors refuse to let family come home to ‘KKK,’ other hate

Citizens of Tenino came together to help Saturday after a Tenino family’s home was found vandalized with racist graffiti while the family was on vacation.

The alleged vandals appeared to have written phrases such as “KKK,” “die,” and other racial slurs in black spray paint on the siding of the home. Similar words and phrases, in orange spray paint, also appeared on a vehicle that had been parked in the driveway of the residence.

The family was reportedly informed about the damage to the home when local law enforcement authorities contacted them by phone.

Tenino Police Chief Don Moody said Monday there are no suspects.

"We did gather some evidence that's being processed, but no suspects at this time. There were no witnesses. We believe it happened about 1 a.m. Friday," he said.

Posts by local residents and by the Thurston County Youth Football League Tenino Beavers Youth Football & Cheer page on Facebook rallied the community to action.

Nearly two dozen Tenino residents showed up, along with local law enforcement and medics. Lewis and Thurston County residents offered to donate funds for exterior home paint and other supplies. Auto body professionals provided advice on how to remove the orange spray paint from the truck.

Community members painted, cleaned and scrubbed the vandalized residence.

Mayor Wayne Fournier thanked those who attended the cleanup on Facebook.

“The place looks as good as new within about 24 hours, and the family won’t have to come home to hate,” Fournier stated in the comments.

“This — the people coming out to help clean up — this is my Tenino. Not the hate crap that was thrown up like bile. The community, the camaraderie, the working together to wipe out hate. ... That’s what Tenino is about,” commented volunteer Marlena Mulkins.

This story was originally published August 22, 2016 at 2:10 PM with the headline "Neighbors refuse to let family come home to ‘KKK,’ other hate."