Police investigate new hate crimes at UW-Whitewater

Police are investigating more hate crimes at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater – this time involving vandalism to the cars of three black students.

The university said someone slashed the tires of the cars and spray-painted “KKK” on the doors and hoods. The incidents happened between 11 p.m. on Nov. 8 and 10 a.m. on Nov. 9.

The reports of vandalism follow closely on the heels of a Nov. 7 incident in which a freshman walking on the north side of campus was approached by two white males, one of whom pushed her into a fence and held her there. He let her go after making a derogatory remark about her perceived sexual orientation.

In September, a woman was punched in the face near campus while wearing a T-shirt that said “Legalize gay.”

The State Journal reported earlier that police do not believe the two assaults are linked.

UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard J. Telfer issued a statement following the second assault saying that bullying and hate crimes would not be tolerated on campus or in the local community.

“UW-Whitewater is a place that values all people,” he said. “This incident goes against everything that we stand for as a campus.”

In addition to conducting an exhaustive investigation, UW-Whitewater police will provide an increased presence on campus, Telfer said.

The university plans meetings to discuss how to stop such incidents.