An unidentified vandal hacked and displayed a racist slur on an electronic traffic sign in Raleigh, North Carolina, in late October, according to a report.
The slur, which appears to be the N-word, was visible on the sign propped up on Optimist Farm Road. It left one resident with her “jaw dropped,” WRAL reported. And it prompted people passing by to contact local law enforcement.
State Department of Transportation told the outlet that the suspect was able to crack the passcode due to the sign not being locked, adding that the contractors linked to the sign “addressed this to ensure this sign and others are secured with both lock and passcode.” The problem was corrected hours later.
According to the report, the contractors released a joint statement saying they were “extremely dismayed” and condemned the vandal’s actions.
“We regret that area residents experienced this offensive action. We are investigating how this could have happened and are taking steps to prevent it from happening again,” the statement said, the news station reported. “Each day, the people of Flatiron and Branch strive to build an inclusive culture and contribute to the well-being of the communities where we live and work.”
Per the outlet, vandals have tampered with digital traffic signs in the state before citing two incidents in 2014 and 2018. Earlier this year, in Orlando, Florida, police launched an investigation to find the culprit who hacked a sign and exhibited anti-gay language.
Recently, in Cobb County, Georgia, a hate group used a traffic sign to target the Jewish community: “THIS LAND IS OUR LAND!!! HEIL HITLER AND THE GDL,” according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Local officials reacted to the sign on social media.
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