Chestertown Police are investigating an alleged racial hate incident at Washington College, said CPD Chief John Dolgos in a brief phone interview Thursday.
The incident is the third since October, which resulted in one individual being referred to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.
The latest incident occurred Sunday at around 7 p.m. when a dark gray Chevrolet Suburban drove through the campus waving a TRUMP flag–with occupants shouting the N-word several times at an African American women, Dolgos said.
Dolgos said a bystander walking by witnessed the incident and has been interviewed by CPD, along with the victim.
There were four occupants, three males and one female, all juveniles, Dolgos said.
CPD was able to identify the vehicle and the driver. Det. Chris Pavon is running the investigation.
Dolgos said the Kent County State’s Attorney is being consulted.
Related stories:
White Male, 17, Referred to Juvenile Services for Racial Slurs
ej Johnson says
First thing I see is that flag flying at same height as our country’s flag which I know is a violation, our laws. This is a country of the people not of a president and that flag I find offensive. As for these youths to be shouting out at students, they also should be taken aside as bullies, as racists, for counseling and maybe some jail time. To find a standing president to be releasing convicted criminals and supporting illegal activities, I question those in Washington alot.
Tom Steele says
The people of Kent County better start imagining the economic impact of losing WC, because this kind of BS will kill enrollment.
Gerry Levin says
Get the U.S. president out of office would be a step in the right direction.
Ann Miller says
This is one of the reasons our kids never made it as far as Kent County High School, why we moved out of the County. Well that and the economy, jobs & schools were better elsewhere, and we were already going there to do our shopping…..I’d much rather my family be surrounded folks who don’t have closed minds than this trash, and I say that as a republican. This county is so insular…I know people are trying, some are doing real good things, but a few art facilities and music festivals doesn’t elevate the day-to-day working family. Somewhere in the immediate area these kids have parents. Wonder what they think of the behavior of their (collective) children?
Ron Jordan says
Ann,
You hit the nail on the head, the parents should be brought in and have a conversation with the local authorities, the States Attorney, the College’s representative and our Chief of Police. Free speech is a right but no one has a right to incite racists and bigoted language. Part of these children’s environments comes from their parents and those parents don’t respect other folks space and are teaching their children disrespect to our community. So a counseling session with them should be in order as well as child services. A community such as ours should be welcoming and open to have anyone that will obey the rule of law and the moral objectives of our community. If folks can’t adhere to our community standards, then they shouldn’t want to be here and frankly I don’t want to live around someone who doesn’t respect my humanity my neighbors humanity and our community’s collective space.
Hugh B Silcox says
I am disgusted and alarmed by this incident.
At this point — and with no evidence — I am assuming this band of racist thugs was not made up of members of the College community, but rather “kids” from Chestertown or its environs, who view the College as a nest of Liberals, deserving of their vitriol.
Regardless of their provenance, these wannabee Brown Shirts deserve no consideration and should be prosecuted severely. We live in times in which racism — and other manifestations of hate and exclusion -are given free rein by our President. Chestertown, although hardly unblemished in this arena, is better than this.
I am a graduate of Chestertown High School (1971) and of Washington College (1975).
Christalyn Grandison says
There has been another incident of racially motivated assault on campus. That makes two incidents reported just this week, and five during this academic year. Please consider supporting the students in their efforts bring awareness and receive justice. Call the President’s Office at 410-778-7201.
(WAC Class of 2011)
Cheryl Hoopes says
When I said to my husband that I wasn’t sure what I was going to write in response to this, but that I could not sit by and do nothing, he said one word: PROSECUTE. I agree, 100%.
If these individuals were old enough to drive, (and to pay for insurance and gas), then they’re old enough to pay a whopping fine for their crime. Plus they’re old enough to spend a weekend in jail. At the same time, they may be young enough to change, so mandatory education, that their parents are also required to attend, should follow, coupled with mentoring and meaningful community service.
This is not a small, insignificant incident. As a former teacher, one rule of thumb I always used when tackling classroom discipline was to catch the very first offense in the group, no matter how small. Treatment had to be kind, respectful and fair, but firm and unflinching. Order had to be maintained, or members of the group would be in danger of being hurt. Small incidents ALWAYS lead to bigger ones, if left unchecked. Hoping that they’ll “just go away” is absolutely 100% ineffective and unrealistic, so ignoring the problem will not work.
Something of significance must be done.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Anyone who still supports Trump is responsible for this behavior. Your man has disgraced this nation and emboldened hate.
Shame on all of you. You are nothing but suckers.
Brett Lysinger says
I take great offense to your comment. It shows how biased and closed minded you are. Your views are based on far left media talking points.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Sorry, you are wrong. Trump has ruined the soul of our nation. He is an idiot who is supported by sycophants who
relish power and/or the delish menu of the White House Mess. Time you turn off faux news, read about fascist
in the 20th century as well as the US Constitution.
Oh, I was a Republican until four years ago.
Brett Lysinger says
If you want to see power hungry sycophants I encourage you to watch the Democrat debate.
Charles Taylor says
Is this a photo of the actual offending vehicle? In the article, the image is credited to Ellen Jo Roberts and Flickr. Or is this image not from the scene but being used for illustrative purposes? If it’s a photo from the incident, a caption should clearly say so. (If that’s a WAC building and the thinking is that the location should be apparent, it is not so for everyone).
Barbara Criss says
That’s not it… If it is it… That’s not what they meant????
Gren Whitman says
A Trump flag is equivalent to a Confederate flag or a Nazi flag with a swastika.
Trump is egging on the worst in our nation, not encouraging the best.
Carol Dobson says
Shouting racial slurs at a college student from the enclosed protection of a moving SUV driving on the student’s campus is an image of invasion and an action intended to terrorize. We must get to the bottom of this behavior. That we now have had three incidents of this nature perpetrated by young people who feel emboldened to act in this way is very troubling. Yes, the police and the college will take action. This must happen. However, as important, what can we as a community do to engage and understand motivations for these actions? To feel entitled to act in threatening ways shows a disconnect from the need for safety and respect we all want. I ask that each of us…parent, grandparent, minister, and friend talk with the young people they are raising and mentoring and ask, “What do you see as the reasons behind these behaviors? What would you like to see happen that we adults can help with?” Let’s start with the young people. There are many concerned citizens here who are actively engaged with making our town a place for all children and adults to thrive. We want a happy place for everyone. This behavior is telling us something we cannot afford to ignore. STAR is a peer-led Approach, Students Talking
About Race. There are discussion groups that can be formed to hear what’s bothering us. Let’s hear each other out in respectful ways. To anyone who is drawn to ridiculing and intimidating others, I urge you to ask for ways you can be heard that will bring understanding. Random acts of threats ate not “just pranks”and “getting in each other’s face.” They are serious symptoms of disconnect from the sense of belonging in our community. I want to know what the young people have to say about these occurrences. I’d like to talk with this generation that has so much at stake for their future. I want to help bring understanding and healing from a loss of trust and joy. “This land was made for you and me.” All of us have a stake in this outcome.
Adam Doran says
How about these kids did nothing wrong and we’re just exercising free speech. It is no different than the numours American flags I have seen burnt on campus. Everyone talking about prosecuting these kids needs to fall back because you are wound way to tight. How about you people stop being so soft and sensitive about everything. So the hell what if he said something not nice to this girl. I’m sure she will be fine. And if not than she has far bigger problems than this kid yelling at her. I have lived here my whole life. These past few years to many people that aren’t from here are putting there 2 cents in where nobody gives a shot about it. They are kids. Kids will be kids….
Francoise Sullivan says
This was an act of racism and an act of terror. We should feel safe walking in a neighborhood or on a campus. This is our home. Hatred is not welcome here and those who spew hatred, harass and terrorize our neighbors should be punished. This is not just name calling this is an act intended to cause fear and must be called out and stopped. No young woman should have to go through this verbal assault though many of us have. Creating an environment of fear in our community should not be tolerated. I hope that these teenagers are made examples of so that these incidents cease and do not escalate. We must do better. Racism is taught, so is kindness. Let’s all talk to our kids. It’s never too early or too late. This is not just about making sure this crime is punished this is also about having the opportunity to come together and say to the racists, haters and fearmongers in our community that WE SEE YOU and we will not tolerate these kinds of actions. Hate has no place here.
arlene lee says
No! Violent words lead to violent acts. As parents we are responsible for teaching our children that their actions have consequences. That their right to express themselves does not include making others feel unsafe. That racism is not a form of speech, it is an act of violence. We heard from WC students that they feel unsafe in our community. We also heard from KCPS students that this is happening to them at the high school. Students of color have been threatened by white students, at our high school. These racist acts are crimes.
Steve Payne says
Threatening speech isn’t protected “Free Speech”
Paris Mercier says
First, clarify what you mean by “you people” because it seems like you’re referring to people of color which is a problem in itself.
That’s unfortunate that you are so close minded and complacent that you would even begin to type out “so what… she has bigger problems to worry about.” That is the most offensive and privileged comment you could’ve formulated. “Soft and sensitive????” the trauma students have endured on this college campus because of fostered attitudes of racism by people like you is beyond being soft and sensitive. Use your privilege for other things rather than comments that diminish the trauma of others.
Kids are not being kids when they are committing hate crimes. That is not the action of a child. That is a conscious choice/action being demonstrated by an able body individual to create fear and terrorize others. If you’ve lived here your whole life you ought to be concerned and uncomfortable with the racism that is still upheld here. But privileged will be privileged too right?
Piers Heriz-Smith says
Adam, it is revealing that you defend the assailants by diminishing both their crime and its effect on the victim. You are shockingly clear in staking out your position regarding these proud displays of racial bigotry by local minors, and the verbal assaults based upon the same.
Is there anything else you’d like to clear up?
Chris Mueller says
While the kids did something dumb, I’m more concerned about the condemnation and judgment coming from the community.
My daughter left WC because she couldn’t stand the PC crap. The campus is toxic, no surprise people are riding around triggering liberals.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Wow. So you consider it PC, obviously in a pejorative sense, to condemn an aggressively racist action? It is the community’s
responsibility to help maintain a safe and supportive place for all her citizens. Since when is it ok for veritable Brown Shirts
to terrorize? Not in my town. Good thing your daughter left, right?!
Carol Dobson says
The issues expressed show strong positions about how to respond to the occurrence.This is an opportunity for Chestertown to utilize a restorative justice approach and mediation to resolve the matter.
Laws to prohibit racist behavior and penalties are one aspect. Consequences matter. So does the way our town approaches the cultural divisions about who feels welcome and free to be happy here. If incidents of racial harm are given mediation based on restorative justice principles, we may find a way through these difficulties that reveal what is bothering those involved so that underlying issues can be given the spotlight, There is plenty to learn from each other that shouting won’t solve. Listening and being heard as people with concerns can take us further along the road to opportunities for better relations. Everyone’s Voice Matters How we decide what is civil is at issue as us what’s in our hearts. I urge all involved to want to learn from each other about what matters. We have diverse, likeminded, and maybe even ambivalent positions about how we expect to relate here. If we focus on building a legacy as townspeople who care about all our children, then we have a better chance of succeeding.
For starters, I’d like to see the teenagers involved be given books to read and discuss with a counselor. I’d also like to suggest viewing particular documentaries about race relations. And for the parents of children who are attending and who have attended our schools to have these made available to them also. Our public library is well equipped to assist us as is Sumner Hall and the Social Action Committee for Racial Justice. Our churches have many people to assist., These issues that distress us are those many towns are struggling with. Let’s all of us draw on our resources and use them to help grow and heal through these occurrences. I’ve personally experienced growing myself through dialogue with people who don’t see eye to eye with me. I’ve become a better person by getting to know what matters to others. I’ve also made friends who agree to disagree. I’ve been influenced by and influenced others. We will not get it perfect, but we can agree on aiming for better. Let’s join each other and get our community focused on being better than just having stand-offs and not engaging each other. Let’s attack ridicule and replace it with tolerance.
Let’s get together and listen. I’m in for this.