Noose found at Calif. high school being investigated, police say

(CBS) DAVIS, Calif. - California police are now investigating a large noose made of elastic tubing that was hanging off a football goal post at Davis Senior High School last week. They are trying to discover whether the incident was meant as a hate crime or a bad joke, CBS Sacramento reports.

"As far as emotional damage to the community, it's a serious matter," said Davis Police Lt. Paul Doroshov.

The Davis Join Unified School District believe that someone hung the noose between Thursday evening and Friday morning, shortly before it was discovered by a school employee.

"We have no idea who did it, whether it's students or adults," said Superintendent Winfred Roberson. "Nevertheless, it's something that's not tolerated here."

For the past few years, the northern California city of Davis has reportedly seen its share of hate crimes, including swastikas allegedly being hung on the campus of University of California, Davis.

Activist Dr. Jann Murray-Garcia advocates education and active discussion to explain why hate crimes can be hurtful.

"A noose is a symbol of terror," she said. "You can't let these incidents go unresponded."

A community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the high school library to allow discussion about the noose. Roberson hopes that a lesson of tolerance will arise from the incident.

"I would encourage people to get to know one another," he said. "I believe signs of hate and symbols of hate come about again from fear and ignorance and that is something we don't promote here in Davis."