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Graffiti raises racial tensions in Covert
By BECKY BURKERT / H-P South Haven Bureau
COVERT -- Two incidents of spray-painted graffiti on houses, businesses and Covert schools, allegedly by groups of Hispanic teens, has increased racial tensions in this mostly black community.
Residents' worries were the prime topic at Tuesday night's Covert Township Board meeting. The residents asked what can be done to prevent further problems with teenage gangs and to improve relations among blacks, whites and the towns
ip's growing Hispanic population.
"I work with first-, second- and third-graders at Covert Public Schools and they're concerned about this," said Delores Thomas, a Covert resident and s
chool district employee. "I think someone should catch the perpetrators."
Dorothy H
olmes, president of the 20-member Covert Neighborhood Watch group, said all but one of the homes and businesses hit with graffiti are occupied by black people. The exception is a home occupied by a Hispanic resident.
"The community needs to wake up," Holmes said. "Within the last year it seems like we've been bombarded with new Hispanic residents."
Many don't speak English, several people said Tuesday, which contributes to the cultural rift.
"You don't know what they're saying," Holmes said. "They communicate with one another, but they don't care about anybody else. ... It's (cultural differences) creating a fear in the school
s."
The two widespread graffiti incidents occurred in May, township police Chief Rick Winans said. Five Hispanic juveniles between 12 and 16 were apprehended following the second incident, t
hanks to a citizen's tip.
However, the citizen said he would not testify in court, and the youths have denied being involved in the incident, despite having paint on th
eir hands when arrested, Winans said.
The graffiti consisted mainly of symbols representing the Latin Kings and Gangster Disciples. Winans described the alleged perpetrators has "gang wannabes."
Holmes said part of the problem lies with area residents not working together.
"When we have a Neighborhood Watch meeting maybe two or three people show up," Holmes said. "We have 20 people in the group and they're all senior citizens except for me.
"Right now Neighborhood Watch is just black residents. People think it's just a black thing. Unless something bad happens no one sho
ws up."
She said the police liaison officer seldom shows up for meetings.
Holmes said the police department and Covert Public Schools don't work well together to solve problem
s that occur at the school.
Winans agreed.
"They don't call us," he said.
That may change, said Andre Reddick, community liaison director for Covert Public Schools.
"The school administration is deeply distressed (about the graffi
ti)," said Reddick, who attended Tuesday's meeting. "We are willing to work with anyone. We are planning a meeting with Hispanic students and to deal with cultural misunderstandings."
Reddick told citizens at the meeting that homeowners and businesses could seek assistance from student volunteers to help clean up the graffiti.
Covert Township has about 3,000 residents. In the 1960s, Covert was predominately a black community.
In the past 40 years, more whites and Hispanics have settled in the township.<b
r>
"I'd say it's about a third black, white and Hispanic," Winans said. He said that if the current influx of Hispanic residents continues, they could become the majority in
a decade or two.
Hispanics have been opening businesses throughout the township within the past several years, including the former Sarno fruit stand, a new bakery and a food store.
Holmes encouraged local residents to attend Neighborhood Watch meetings, which take place at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of the month
at the township hall.
Graffiti raises racial tensions in Covert
By BECKY BURKERT / H-P South Haven Bureau
COVERT -- Two incidents of spray-painted graffiti on houses, businesses and Covert schools, allegedly by groups of Hispanic teens, has increased racial tensions in this mostly black community.
Residents' worries were the prime topic at Tuesday night's Covert Township Board meeting. The residents asked what can be done to prevent further problems with teenage gangs and to improve relations among blacks, whites and the towns
ip's growing Hispanic population.
"I work with first-, second- and third-graders at Covert Public Schools and they're concerned about this," said Delores Thomas, a Covert resident and s
chool district employee. "I think someone should catch the perpetrators."
Dorothy H
olmes, president of the 20-member Covert Neighborhood Watch group, said all but one of the homes and businesses hit with graffiti are occupied by black people. The exception is a home occupied by a Hispanic resident.
"The community needs to wake up," Holmes said. "Within the last year it seems like we've been bombarded with new Hispanic residents."
Many don't speak English, several people said Tuesday, which contributes to the cultural rift.
"You don't know what they're saying," Holmes said. "They communicate with one another, but they don't care about anybody else. ... It's (cultural differences) creating a fear in the school
s."
The two widespread graffiti incidents occurred in May, township police Chief Rick Winans said. Five Hispanic juveniles between 12 and 16 were apprehended following the second incident, t
hanks to a citizen's tip.
However, the citizen said he would not testify in court, and the youths have denied being involved in the incident, despite having paint on th
eir hands when arrested, Winans said.
The graffiti consisted mainly of symbols representing the Latin Kings and Gangster Disciples. Winans described the alleged perpetrators has "gang wannabes."
Holmes said part of the problem lies with area residents not working together.
"When we have a Neighborhood Watch meeting maybe two or three people show up," Holmes said. "We have 20 people in the group and they're all senior citizens except for me.
"Right now Neighborhood Watch is just black residents. People think it's just a black thing. Unless something bad happens no one sho
ws up."
She said the police liaison officer seldom shows up for meetings.
Holmes said the police department and Covert Public Schools don't work well together to solve problem
s that occur at the school.
Winans agreed.
"They don't call us," he said.
That may change, said Andre Reddick, community liaison director for Covert Public Schools.
"The school administration is deeply distressed (about the graffi
ti)," said Reddick, who attended Tuesday's meeting. "We are willing to work with anyone. We are planning a meeting with Hispanic students and to deal with cultural misunderstandings."
Reddick told citizens at the meeting that homeowners and businesses could seek assistance from student volunteers to help clean up the graffiti.
Covert Township has about 3,000 residents. In the 1960s, Covert was predominately a black community.
In the past 40 years, more whites and Hispanics have settled in the township.<b
r>
"I'd say it's about a third black, white and Hispanic," Winans said. He said that if the current influx of Hispanic residents continues, they could become the majority in
a decade or two.
Hispanics have been opening businesses throughout the township within the past several years, including the former Sarno fruit stand, a new bakery and a food store.
Holmes encouraged local residents to attend Neighborhood Watch meetings, which take place at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of the month
at the township hall.
