Possible hate crime in Lakeland

Thursday, July 28, 2005

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Someone started to write a hate-filled message on the mobile home's steps.

The Lakeland Fire Department is investigating what appears to be an anti-gay hate crime at a mobile home park.

Investigators say someone used an accelerant Monday to start fires inside the home Paul Day shares with his boyfriend, Christopher. They also spray-painted an anti-gay message on the front steps.

Day believes someone in his mobile home park is responsible. He says some people who live in the park have made a habit of shouting anti-gay remarks at them.

"It's hard to believe someone could do that kind of thing," Day said. "Have that mentality. You hear about that happening to the people next door. The people down the street. Then you come home and it's you."

Park maintenance worker James Boatman says he's heard the anti-gay remarks, but doesn't believe anyone at the park would have committed the arson.

"I'm saying this for myself because I know just about everyone in here,"

The home and furnishings were heavily damaged in the fire.

Boatman said. "There's no one person capable of burning down a gay person's house."

The Lakeland Fire Department is leading the investigation, with the cooperation of the Lakeland Police Department. Fire Department Spokesperson Cheryl Edwards said little about the case and the hate crime connection.

"That is part of the investigation, but I am not allowed to give anything out about that at this time," Edwards said.

Day says his mobile home can be repaired, but not his feelings about the neighborhood. He says he and Christopher have no plans to ever live at the park again. The two men say they are now making plans to move to Winter Haven.