Arlington police are searching for who painted a swastika and the "n-word" on businesses and signs early Tuesday. The racist vandalism happened in an area near E. Arkansas and New York Avenue in East Arlington. Many of the businesses in the area are minority-owned.

“It’s clear to me that it was a hate crime and it was biased-based symbols and words trying to prompt a community reaction, in which it has,” Johnson said. One of the businesses tagged was a daycare center.

“Having to go into somewhere where they are supposed to feel safe and seeing this the first thing in the morning, it’s so sad,” said one woman, who asked to remain unnamed. “It’s nothing we’ve seen before. It’s truly the most upsetting thing we’ve seen in a long, long time. I don’t remember anything being so hurtful and so disgusting.”

Students at Sam Houston High School, about a block away, saw pictures of the hate speech circulating on social media before seeing it in person. Police say they’re canvassing the neighborhood in search of surveillance video that will help identify the suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.