'Thank You MBPD' Signs Trigger Letter To Homes With The Sign

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MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Some Manhattan Beach residents have received an anonymous "Dear Neighbor" letter that offers a brief history of racism in the South Bay, including Manhattan Beach, and asks the household to understand how their "Thank You MBPD & MBFD" sign could cause "fear and discomfort" to others.

Written by someone claiming to be a Manhattan Beach resident, the letter, which seems to have first appeared last Friday, has been met with curiosity and consternation. For Manhattan Beach resident Alissa Marquis, who supports Manhattan Beach police and has a "Hate Has No Home Here" sign at her home along with a Black Lives Matter sign, she wondered why a letter was left.

"I find the letter odd because as you can see from my signs, I both value and respect our MBPD and MBFD and also support the voices of Black Lives Matter. I don't see us as Kenosha but we do definitely have a more 'respectable' kind of racism here in MB," she told Manhattan Beach Patch, "one which I hope we can acknowledge and address."

At least one resident emailed the letter to the entire Manhattan Beach City Council. Council members and Mayor Richard Montgomery said the Manhattan Beach Police Department was investigating. Apparently, MBPD had identified the author of the letter said one council member. Manhattan Beach Patch could not confirm that.

Montgomery, for his part, said he did not agree with the letter writer's "comments or views. It is unfortunate that in showing our appreciation for both our police officers and fire fighters that someone can attempt to twist a positive message into one related to racism," he told Manhattan Beach Patch.