A racial flyer is stirring up emotions at a Fresno apartment complex. It claimed the Arbor Place apartments was no longer accepting applications from African Americans. Police are calling it a hoax and investigating it as a hate crime.
The flyer was glued to this window, management discovered it Monday and immediately called police.
The flyer has been seen all over the internet; on Facebook and Instagram. Digital evidence, but the actual flyer was posted here at the Arbor Place apartments in Fresno.Police
"I think it's racist."
"I think it's mean and very wrong."
Management found it glued to the office window Monday morning. It's addressed to "potential residents" and reads, "Due to criminal activity in our neighborhood, we regret to inform you that arbor place apartments is no longer considering applications to rent from African American individuals."
Lieutenant Burke Farrah says it's a hoax and possibly a hate crime. "We know the document is not from management, the letterhead is wrong, the address is wrong and the statement on the letter is something no apartment complex would ever want to put out."
The flyer was coupled with vandalism. Several office locks were clogged with superglue. Police believe a disgruntled tenant might be responsible. Management declined to speak about it on camera but said a third of the tenants are black.
"It's messed up for anyone to have these thoughts."
Van Ness French lives in the complex. He says there is some crime in the neighborhood, but the words on the flyer are much more disturbing.
"I would consider this basically a hate crime and none of that's ever been done. Not in this community"
They are offensive words on paper. Words police say were meant to upset the community, and make management look bad.
Police removed the flyer Monday. But it appears not very many people actually saw it on the window.
The apartment complex sits across the street from Bulldog Stadium. Management says several cars were towed near the complex Saturday and one of the owners might be responsible.
TXT 24
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