LAWNSIDE, NJ (WPVI) — Residents around Lawnside, New Jersey felt a wave of emotion over the 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 her fence over the weekend. Contains a racial slur and offensive symbols.

“Immediately, I was discouraged. I was sad,” Hines said. “I was a bit upset because I’m like everything, I felt 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 her neighbors believe this vandalism was intentional, along with the placement. The message is directed towards Evesham Avenue.

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

Neighbors said the racist rhetoric raised concerns.

“Some of us feel more empowered in what we’re going to do next as a community, while you’re going to have others looking over our shoulders,” Austin said.

The community now says it is taking swift action.

Crews immediately removed the graffiti, and residents met with local leaders Saturday to discuss solutions such as increased patrols and remaining vigilant.

“It just speaks to the community being so small that everyone knows each other,” Austin said. “It really feels like a small southern town where everyone is related, just two degrees of separation.”

Residents said they would look out for each other, showing the true strength 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 this incident as a hate crime.