Hoboken police investigating bias incident that involved ‘anti-Asian hate speech’

The Hoboken Police Department is investigating a bias incident that occurred involving “anti-Asian hate speech,” specifically “1 AMOR = 3 C***** USA #1 C***** DIE” spray painted on the ground in front of garage doors.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

On Saturday, uniformed officers responded to 222 Clinton St. on a report of a criminal mischief on the ground in front of the garage doors, according to Police Chief Kenneth Ferrante.

When officers arrived they found the following anti-Asian hate speech spray painted “1 AMOR = 3 C***** USA #1 C***** DIE.” No suspects were in the area at the time, officials said.

Detectives Bret Globke and Police Officer Ryan Houghton were investigating the incident spoke to numerous residents in the area and none of them had any idea of who might have done this as there have been no similar reported incidents in this area.

Detectives were able to secure surveillance footage in the area which shows a suspect in the area at approximately 10:56 p.m. on May 1.

The suspect walked south on Clinton Street from 3rd Street and suspect stopped in front of the garage door of 222 Clinton St. and proceeded to spray paint on the ground, authorities said.

The suspect then entered the parking lot of the building and shortly after, left the lot and walked south on Clinton towards 2nd St at approximately 11:11 p.m. He was last seen in the area of 2nd and Clinton Street.

At this time the suspect can be described as a bald, light-skinned male, with a medium build, wearing dark-colored clothes and dark shoes.

“Hate has absolutely no place in Hoboken – not now, not in the future, not ever. Hoboken is a fair and welcoming City where all are equal and accepted, and I stand with our Asian American community in condemning this racist act in the strongest terms possible,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement.

“I thank our Hoboken Police Department for responding to the scene and taking quick action to investigate this incident. I encourage anyone with information about this act to please call the police at 201-420-2113 or 201-420-5112.”

Anyone with any information can call Det. John Quinones at 201-420-2113 or Det. Sgt. William Collins at 201-420-5112, or email them at: Quinonesj@hobokenpd.org and collinsw@hobokenpd.org