Discovered on her house during the first week of December, Deborah McCullough, a local Charlotte homeowner, says she discovered swastikas, anti-gay and racist slurs had been spray painted on the side of her home and on top of her HVAC unit, located on the west side of the Queen City. The resident has expressed that she is Jewish and does have a family member who is part of the LGBTQ community.
While there is no clear indication as to who could have posted the graffiti, the woman has some theories. “Honestly, I think it was just hateful kids, but I’m not totally sure,” McCullough’s daughter offered.
The family told WCNC Charlotte that they contacted Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police about the incident and that the FBI was also investigating. Unfortunately, the woman was unaware her internet was down at the time of the incident, so there isn’t any camera footage or shots of the perpetrators available from her home security system.
“It’s crazy because you just don’t think that people do these kinds of things anymore,” she said. “You hear about things but something changes when it becomes personal and it’s in your living space. All of a sudden you don’t feel safe where you live. I’ve always felt safe here.”
Unfortunately, McCullough’s insurance will not cover her home’s siding, despite the cause of the damage by vandalism. The family is getting repair estimates from siding companies and has also started a GoFundMe.
The GoFundMe Reads:
“My home was spray-painted with signs of vicious bigotry. I have CPI, but the Internet was down for eight hours. This was the only time I really needed my security system to work.I have worked hard to provide my daughter with a safe and secure home. We no longer feel safe and secure. I am a single mother. I have always taken care of absolutely everything on my own. I just got a new job two months ago. Unfortunately, I have been behind and working to catch things up. Then this happened!
Homeowners Insurance will only cover a small part of it, meaning they will only cover part of the house, and that means my house will be two different colors of siding. This is an expense I can’t afford, especially just before the holidays. This year, the holidays were going to be skimpy as it is; this just took it to a completely different level financially and emotionally.”
For those willing to help out the McCullough family, you can access the GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/6fd3e28b.