SAN FRANCISCO – Racist graffiti and a noose found at a San Francisco park happened days after a woman was told she could not have her dog in the playground by the head of a youth organization.

The woman vowed to do everything possible to shut down this group, officials said on Friday during a news conference at the park hours after the vile messages had been painted over.

“That disgusting racial slur that was written all over this building does not define who we are as a city,” said Maria Su, director of the city’s Department of Children, Youth and their Families.

SEE ALSO: Alameda County firefighter accused of racist rant on paid leave

The vandalism at Merced Heights Playground on Shields Street is being investigated as a hate crime and a direct attack on the nonprofit called Youth First.

“This is not tolerated. And it will not be tolerated. We will continue to celebrate Youth First,” Su said.

Renard Monroe, Youth First’s founder and executive director, said that someone had spray-painted “N- First” on the building.

“It was destroyed by hate,” Monroe said. “The N-word. It said, ‘N-word First’ because we’re called Youth First, so they were kind of aiming that word toward our program.”

Officials believe the vandalism is a direct response to an incident at the park last week when a woman with her toddler daughter and their dog were near the playground, in the upper terrace area, where dogs are not allowed.

When Monroe told the woman to take her dog to the lower terrace of the park, where dogs are allowed, she told him, “No (N-word) is going to tell me where to go,” he recounted.

Supervisor Ahsha Safai said, “Then it turned into the N-word. It turned into threats. And the woman said, ‘I am going to make it my job to shut down your organization.’”

Following the threat, state licensing officials visited the park based on an anonymous tip, questioning whether Monroe’s operation was a childcare facility when it is actually an after-school program.

“People show up saying the music’s too loud. And then today he (Monroe) shows up and there’s spray paint and a noose hanging on the door,” Safai said.

Officials said the incident is a grim reminder that there is still division and hatred, even in a city as diverse as San Francisco.

“Everyone that doesn’t believe that racism is still alive – and still alive in San Francisco – it absolutely is. But guess what? We’re not going to be broken by it,” the supervisor said.

While no suspects have been publicly identified, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins assured that once the case reaches her office, “We will do everything to make sure the person or persons responsible for this are held accountable.”

Jenkins said, although the messages were abhorrent, the hate beneath the vandalism can’t be ignored.

“We have to bring attention to it, as much as we don’t want to give what this person did attention, San Francisco has to recognize how much work it still needs to do,” Jenkins said.

Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan.

DENVER — State and city leaders condemned the placement of racist signs, targeting immigrants and VP Kamala Harris, at RTD bus stops in Denver and Aurora. A Friday morning presser featured statements from Attorney General Phil Weiser, city councilwoman Shontel Lewis and Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas, among others.

In total, RTD found seven signs at five intersections along Colfax. The first was found by a bus operator of Route 15 at around 5 a.m. Thursday, according to an RTD spokesperson. The metal sign was bolted down on top of a pole.

“It was pretty jarring,” said Olivia Hunt, a Denver resident who was one of the first to notice the signs. Hunt was headed to her birthday lunch, when she noticed the sign on Colfax and Garfield. “I’m very frustrated at people who are so invested in hate,” said Hunt.

Her sentiments were echoed by Chief Ron Thomas, who fought back tears during the presser.

“This is not the Denver that we will accept. This is not the Denver we love,” said Thomas.

RTD agency staff worked with Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) to check for more signs. DPD officials said they have multiple leads, but are not ready to name any suspects. Additionally, DPD managed to obtain video surveillance from nearby cameras that are helping with the investigation.

DPD does not believe that this incident was connected to similar cases in other cities. Similar signs have popped up in New York and Chicago, those messages have appeared at Chicago Transit Authority bus stops.

Although DPD believes all the signs have been found, RTD is still asking people to report any suspicious behavior that they may have observed near bus stops. You can reach out on RTD’s Transit Watch app, or by calling Transit Police dispatch at 303-299-2911. You can also text RTD at 303-434-9100.

Colorado and Denver leaders condemn racist signs posted at RTD bus stops

That was a bummer. The New York Liberty hit Hollywood to face the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday night. They took the lead in the second half, but were essentially in the mud all game long and it led to them losing 94-88. The seafoam are still in first place, but they still have work to do to secure the top seed in the playoffs.

The opponent tonight is looking to secure homecourt advantage in the first round of the WNBA playoffs. The Seattle Storm have tried to figure things out as they begin their new era. It’s been a bit rocky, but they’re holding tough. They survived a tough challenge against the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday night and held on to win by four points.

Where to follow the game

ION is the place to be. League Pass for the out of towners. Late night affair so we getting started after 10 PM.

Injuries

Jonquel Jones missed Wednesday’s game with a non-COVID illness. She’s listed as questionable.

Jordan Horston missed Wednesday’s game with a non-COVID illness. She’s back tonight.

The game

New York won the first game. They close out the season series next week.

The Liberty say it all the time, but when they don’t move the ball side to side, bad things happen. They rush into their actions and don’t put pressure on opposing defenses when they get into those bad stretches. We saw it on full display as they turned the ball over 20 times in Los Angeles. When you’re that unorganized, you’re going to lose every single time.

Jewell Loyd has been trying to figure things out, but it’s been a struggle. She’s shooting a career low 36.2 percent from the field and perhaps most concerning, just 27.5 percent from three point range. That’s the lowest percentage she’s shot from deep since her rookie season. She still leads the team in field goal attempts and is fourth overall in FGAs. For Noelle Quinn and the Storm, they have to figure out how to put Jewell in the best position to succeed. Even as I say that, she can make you forget it all in the blink of an eye

Speaking of three point shooting, Sabrina Ionescu will try to regain her rhythm from deep. Sab hasn’t shot above 40 percent from deep since the win against the Sparks on August 15. For Ionescu, she’s been at her best when she’s driving downhill and getting into the painted area. That success getting to the basket opens up the rest of the court for herself and her teammates, which makes life so much easier for everyone.

Player to watch: Nneka Ogwumike

Quiet as it’s kept, Nneka has been one of the best players in the league this season. She’s been a source of consistency for the Storm as they try to find their identity before the playoffs start. How good has she been? My pal Nekias Duncan has more on the former MVP

For Nneka, she and Ezi Magbegor make for one of the best, most challenging frontcourt tandems to stop in the league this season. The Storm have been the second worst rebounding team in the league since the break (the Liberty have been the best), so it’s goin to take a lot of heavy lifting for the Storm tonight if they want to punch their ticket to the postseason.

If all else fails for the Liberty, Breanna Stewart will be there to save the day. Stew York was the main engine on offense Wednesday night as she was able to score 32 points while keeping the team afloat. Stewart can do everything in the world, and if JJ is out for another game, Sandy Brondello will have her play some more center minutes. The Liberty haven’t had to do it much this season, but tonight could be an opportunity for them to try it out before the stakes get high.

From the Vault

You can never go wrong with Seattle Stewie.

More reading: Swish Appeal, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune, The Strickland, The Local W, New York Daily News, New York Post, The Athletic. Fansided, Just Women’s Sports, SI All Knicks, Winsidr, Her Hoop Stats, CBS Sports, and The Next