LAWNSIDE, NJ (WPVI) — Residents of Lawnside, New Jersey felt an outpouring of emotions this weekend after someone spray-painted a woman’s property with offensive language.

“I felt violated,” Dawn Hines said. “I still feel violated.”

Hines says derogatory messages were spray painted along his fence over the weekend. It included racist slurs and offensive symbols.

“I immediately became discouraged. I was sad,” Hines said. “I was a little angry because I felt out of place, I was like, ‘How was I targeted?'”

Hines said she has lived in her home for 20 years and has never felt this hatred from her community before.

Since Lawnside is a predominantly black neighborhood, Hines and his neighbors believe this vandalism was intentional, as was the placement. The post faces Evesham Avenue.

“They knew where to put it,” said Qawi Austin, Hines’ neighbor. “They knew where to get the message and wanted to make sure everyone saw it because of the heavy traffic that comes in here.”

Neighbors said the racist rhetoric raised concerns.

“Some of us feel more empowered in what we do next as a community, while others will be looking over their shoulders,” Austin said.

The community now says it is acting quickly.

Crews immediately removed the graffiti and residents met with local leaders Saturday to discuss solutions such as increasing patrols and maintaining vigilance.

“It just goes to show that the community is so small that everyone knows each other,” Austin said. “It really feels like a small Southern town where everyone is related, with only two degrees of separation.”

Residents said they would look out for each other, demonstrating the true power of unity.

“Hate has no place here. It has no place here,” Hines said. “I have loving neighbors. My neighbors are loving and we are a loving community.”

Hines plans to repaint his fence and install cameras.

Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime.