Program administrator for the city, Neil Davis, said the images were found on one of the mosaic pieces done by artist Elizabeth Raybee. “A family member of Raybee saw the swastikas on June 23, and immediately removed them,” said Davis.
Another mural was defaced a week later and was found by artist Lauren Sinnott who was painting in a nearby area. She proceeded to remove it with rubbing alcohol. The artwork, known as the "Racoon Lodge" mural, was defaced with two "S" markings as well as a swastika. The two "S" markings refers to Schutzstaffel, political soldiers of the Nazi Party.
Davis reported the graffiti to the police department, stating he didn't know if they would be treating it as a hate crime.
Former president of Kol HaEmek, the Mendocino County Inland Jewish Community, Nancy Horowitz Bertsch as well as Sherrie Ebyam, the current president, wrote to the Ukiah Police Department calling the acts hate crimes, and said they expected the police department to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for these crimes.”
The deputy city manager for the city of Ukiah, Shannon Riley, responded that, “On behalf of the city of Ukiah, I am appalled and saddened by recent acts of graffiti swastikas and other Nazi-style symbols — on two different public art projects."Riley said that while the first incident was not made known to police until seven days after the first incident, the Ukiah Police Department has opened an investigation into the "hate crime."