Cedar Falls welcome sign defaced

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) - A tarp is covering a welcome to Cedar Falls highway sign after authorities discovered it has been defaced with racist graffiti.

Captain Jeff Harrenstein of the Cedar Falls police department says the sign was spray-painted with graffiti targeting blacks and Jews. He says the city received reports about the graffiti on Friday.

The sign faces southbound Highway 218.

Harrenstein says the sentiments of the graffiti "is not something you want to see on your welcome sign." He says jurisdictions in Bremer and Butler counties have been dealing with similar cases.

Officials say the Cedar Falls Parks Department plans to paint over the graffiti when the weather allows. Currently, a blue tarp covers part of the sign to conceal the graffiti.

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Information from: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, http://www.wcfcourier.com

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.