Port Authority Investigates Racial Insult Written On Black Doll

PITTSBURGH -- Port Authority police continued Tuesday to investigate a racial incident at their East Liberty Garage.

Police said a black baby doll was found hanging in a hallway, with a racial epithet written on it. Authorities said it was placed and discovered between 1 a.m. Monday and 4 a.m. Monday.

The Port Authority told WTAE Channel 4 Action News reporter Bob Mayo that it could not confirm the doll was hung as though by the neck, to simulate a hanging noose. Other media outlets had been reporting that on Tuesday.

The words written on the doll were a racial insult, but did not threaten violence or harm, Port Authority spokesman Bob Grove said.

Investigators said they have interviewed employees at the garage and are collecting writing samples from them.

The Port Authority called the incident "reprehensible" and "totally unacceptable," and police said they will file criminal charges -- possibly including harassment and ethnic intimidation -- if they are able to identify the person responsible.

Leaders at the transit union headquarters said it was a "cowardly" incident and joined in meetings on the issue throughout the day.

"We were with the Port Authority management to extend the message that the behavior that took place is not acceptable, it will not be condoned, and that we can't tolerate it in the workplace today," said Pat McMahon, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85.

"It just goes to show that racism is still alive and well, and we must, as a people in this whole region, work towards eradicating it," said Gayle Moss, president of the NAACP's Pittsburgh branch.

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