AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating after the Austin NAACP office was targeted by vandals early Sunday morning.
Austin NAACP President Nelson Linder told KVUE office equipment and other supplies were stolen in the break-in, including three computers and personal items.
Linder said as of around 3:15 p.m. Sunday, APD had not been in contact with him or come by to review the scene. Linder lamented the response time from police but said the office was "self-sufficient."
"I understand they're busy, but this is a dangerous situation," Nelson said. "The lack of response is very concerning because the people that do this kind of stuff, they need to understand they're being watched as well, and they'll be held accountable."
He also told KVUE he believes the act was intentional and was committed out of anger.
A good Samaritan called 911 on Saturday night after walking past the area, according to Linder, who didn't get a call until Sunday morning from the property manager.
A brick found on the ground after the break-in is evidence, Linder said.
No one was inside the building at the time, but Linder said, unfortunately, these incidents are nothing new to him.
"I wish there was more awareness and attention to these kind of things," Linder said. "This is a major issue that we're going to have to address."
NAACP has its own private security that will remain on high-alert.
KVUE reached out to APD, which said officers could not get a hold of business owners on Sunday morning but are investigating. Police have not released any information about a suspect.
Last year, the organization moved from its longtime location on East 12th Street to its current location on East 11th Street after its former office building was damaged in the February 2021 winter storm.