Essex County prosecutor asking for public's help as investigation of bias incidents continues
WEST ORANGE, N.J. -- The Essex County Prosecutor's Office says it is investigating what it calls two bias incidents in a New Jersey town that's known for its diversity.
Authorities say the incidents took place days apart and they're asking the public for help in finding the suspects.
Black paint spots were seen recently at the entrance of Harper's Cafe in West Orange. Owner Garan Dickson said vandals smashed windows and splattered paint on hanging Pride flags.
"I came in to a brick sitting here and glass broken and paint kind of splattered around," Dickson said.
Dickson said the paint and first brick tossed happened on July 12. Then, the next day, he discovered a second brick.
"You can't help but to be angry," Dickson said. "You shouldn't let even an act like this deter you."
Authorities say they're also investigating another bias incident next door at Ambar Jimenez Photography Studio.
The owner says she was threatened on the phone last Friday.
"Somebody called me and asked me if this was a Black-owned business. To what I said, 'No, I am Latino,'" Jimenez said. "That person just told me that, why, if I wasn't Black, was I wearing braids."
Jimenez said her answer was braids are part of her Dominican culture. That's when she says the caller told her to "go to a Dominican town," and then threatened her.
"They are going to do something to my business. She said 'they' like there was more people around her," Jimenez said.
"There is clearly no place in our country for bias incidents," Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens said.
Authorities said they don't believe the two incidents are connected, but added they have surveillance video.
"We are looking at all leads at this point," Stephens said.
At Harper's Cafe, the owner said he took the plywood that was on his window and invited kids to come and write messages of love on it, adding the outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming.
"You can't come into West Orange with hatred because we will all kind of unify and stand together," Dickson said.
He also said Pride flags will fly again -- and next time permanently.
Dickson said he is upgrading his security to protect his employees.
The prosecutor's office said the suspect in that crime could face a minimum of up to five years behind bars under New Jersey's bias laws.
