CONCORD - A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person who wrote hate-filled messages on four immigrant families' homes in two separate incidents happening last month and last September.

Police have only 12 days before the statute of limitations runs out on the first incident that happened on Sept. 18, 2011, when immigrant African families residing in three homes in the Downing and Perley streets neighborhood woke up to find neatly penned, hateful words written in permanent marker on the exterior of their homes.

Lt. Timothy O'Malley said the person or persons responsible for the crimes would face a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief, which has a statute of limitations of one year.

Merrimack County Attorney Scott W. Murray called the crime a "cowardly criminal act done under cover of darkness." He said the person responsible could be facing a 2 to 5 year sentence, instead of the usual one year maximum for a misdemeanor, under the extended sentencing law because it was motivated by hate.

With the clock running down, police on Thursday held a press conference to announce the increase in the reward from $2,000 to $5,000. Also prominently displayed on poster board, were the writings from the Sept. 18, 2011 incident, which investigators reworked into positive messages.

For instance, one said, "You are not welcome here. You lower the value and safety of our good town. Go back to your war torn lands. leave our good people in peace."

Investigators took the words and rearranged them to read, "You are welcome here. You bring peace value and safety to our good town." Another original hate text read, "You are not welcome here. this town was a wonderful crime free place for hundreds of years. your subhuman culture has already brought many crimes linked to your mud people." It became, "You are welcome here. this town has culture and hundreds of wonderful people."

O'Malley said police did not want to repeat the hateful messages but conceded reworking them to say the opposite was by design. Asked if the alteration was meant to draw out the culprit, he said that "would be a side benefit" if it did.

Chief John F. Duval said the case has generated widespread attention and outrage in New Hampshire, New England and across the country.

"The hate message written on the family's home was done so to inflict fear and to incite others to share in the viewpoint," he said. "The citizens of Concord refuse to submit to either. We stand in support of the families who were the subject of the hate messaging."

He announced Concord Regional Crimeline was increasing the reward to $5,000, thanks to contributions from Crimeline, Tom Fredenburg, the owner of 28 Thompson St. which was one of the properties targeted, the Concord Area Task Force To End Racism and Intolerance (the Rev. Jed Rardin and Chip Rice) and an anonymous local businessman.

O'Malley said investigators believe all of the messages were written by the same individual, most likely a man but they have not ruled out that a woman did them.

He also said police believe the culprit is older and better educated than the usual graffiti writer because he was careful in the wording and made no threat, did not make a threat, which could lead to a federal charge.

Whoever is responsible also was familiar with the neighborhood and knew the immigrants occupied the buildings, police said.

Anyone who has information about the incidents is asked to call Concord Regional Crimeline at 603-226-3100, or submit information online to the website at: www.concordregionalcrimeline.com , or Text TIP234 and a message to CRIMES (274637).
Crimeline awards cash to anyone whose information leads to the arrest and indictment of criminals. All tips remain anonymous.