On Aug. 9 on the 1800 block of Kirkwood, unknown individuals vandalized a victims' home by placing dog feces on their welcome mat and strewing their trees and house with toilet paper. The individuals also wrote expletive-ridden, homophobic slurs on the victims' cars.

Eight days later, on the 1100 block of Malone Road, another openly gay person was targeted. On Aug. 17, he called the police department when he discovered that a gay pride flag, which may have been the same one stolen from his home a year ago, showed up marked with homophobic slurs. But the messages contained "nothing threatening," according to San Jose Police Department spokeswoman Gina Teeporten. The victim's house was also egged.

Teeporten said that both incidents are under investigation but there have been no arrests.

The police department notified both the city council and mayor of the hate crimes. District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager described the incidents as "troublesome." He said, however, that the occurrences were isolated and are no reflection on the general attitude of the Willow Glen community.

"Willow Glen is a welcoming community and is very diverse," he said. "This makes both hate crimes even more disturbing."

Yeager speculated that the crimes were less political statements than attacks on specific individuals.

He said he met with all the individuals subjected to the hate crimes and expressed his sympathy. He also told the individuals that the city council would do whatever it could to aid in the investigation.

"I am proud of Willow Glen and the wonderful diversity of the people that live there," he said. "Everyone wants to continue open communication and to feel safe. The city will do whatever it can."