The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident as a hate crime after a Black San Leandro homeowner reported that someone painted “No Black” on her fence.

Sonia Reed, 52, purchased her first home on Upland Road in an unincorporated neighborhood in the foothills east of San Leandro in December, and said she has since been harassed by neighbors. The formerly homeless grandmother said neighbors have told her they don’t want Black people to live in the neighborhood, and have called her racial slurs. 

But, Reed said, the harassment escalated last week when she discovered that someone had painted “No Black” on the white wooden fence surrounding her home. 

“I was in shock,” Reed said, adding that she felt she had made a big mistake in purchasing the home and now is stuck.

The incident heightened tension on a residential street that is home to some longtime residents. Reed said harassment from neighbors began after she started renovation work on her new home. 

One of the neighbors who Reed accused of calling her a racial slur, Julia Bisi, denied doing so. She said she had “negative” experiences with her next-door neighbor and her contractor, and accused Reed of painting the words on her own fence.

“They’ve been nothing but trouble,” Bisi said. “My husband is white, I am Mexican, we are clearly not racist.” 

But a resident who has lived there for 20 years and declined to give his name for fear of retaliation said Wednesday that Reed’s experience on the street is not unique. He recalled another incident involving a Black family that lived on the street but eventually moved after neighbors gave them a hard time. 

“It’s just ridiculous,” he said. 

Sgt. Roberto Morales of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office said the department is investigating the incident as a hate crime. Morales said hate crimes are uncommon in Alameda County. In California, the number of reported hate crimes based on race and ethnicity decreased by 18% from 2022 to 2023, the most recent state data available. 

“This is not something that happens regularly at all,” Morales said. “This type of hate and criminal acts cannot be tolerated in our community. We want to make sure that our community members feel safe and are safe.” 

Morales said deputies are interviewing neighbors and reviewing surveillance footage for suspects. He declined to say whether the department has any suspects. 

Supervisor Nate Miley, who represents the district where Reed lives, said his office is following up with the sheriff on their investigation. 

“There is no room for hate,” Miley said. 

On Wednesday, a resident who lives across from Reed said he was questioned by the police and “may be a suspect” due to where he lives. The man, who declined to give his name, said he did not spray-paint Reed’s home. 

“That is repulsive, obviously,” the man said, pointing to the fence. “DEI is highly important.” 

Reed, who was raised in Oakland, said she struggled with homelessness and lived in abandoned cars and buildings for more than a decade. She was also addicted to crack cocaine and was in and out of jail, where she eventually became sober, she said.

Now, she’s a peer support and recovery specialist for an organization focused on behavioral health, working with people who have mental health and substance use issues. Reed said she qualified for a first-time homeowners’ assistance program through Alameda County that granted her a $210,000 down-payment assistance loan toward the $615,000 home.  

Reed said she would sell the house and move, but she’d have to repay the loan grant and is unable to. She said she’s left her home due to harassment and is staying at a hotel in Oakland. 

“I didn’t plan to buy a house and then move into a hotel,” Reed said. “I bought it to be for my family when I was long gone.”