Dickson County man says he's victim of hate crimes

(From WKRN Channel 2):  A Dickson County man, originally from Egypt, before becoming an American citizen, said someone has vandalized his fence since 2011. 

Salama Salama told Nashville's News 2 Investigates he came to the United States 15 years ago and purchased his 76-acre property two years ago. 

Salama said since last year, someone has repeatedly tampered with and in some cases cut his fence, allowing his livestock to run loose.  

According to the 62-year-old Bellevue resident, he has been treated poorly by others in the county. 

"Yes, sir, they treat me like trash," he said. 

The retired veterinarian said he dreamed of raising livestock, cattle, sheep and chickens on his property, but is now afraid to do so since his animals can escape. 

"It's not an accident or a cow pushing down the fence, but a hate crime," Salama said. 

Nashville's News 2 Investigates spoke with Dickson County Chief Deputy Jerone Holt who said the department is aware of the incidents. 

"We have looked into the matter on every call," Holt said. "We have pictures where it appears that the animals have pushed the fencing down." 

The chief deputy told Nashville's News 2 Investigates they have responded to Salama's property nearly 20 times since 2011.

Nashville's News 2 Investigates looked at some of the incident reports where at least one deputy wrote it appears the fence was cut.

Holt said the department is not actively investigating the case. He added there is no reason to believe the actions are related to a hate crime.  

"We have not received any calls of this being a hate crime," he said. "All the calls we have received have to do with these animals either getting out, roaming at large or under-nourished. 

He continued, "If we had any reason to believe that there was some kind of hate crime going on, then we would definitely fully investigate." 

Salama has been cited twice on misdemeanor charges that he let his animals run loose.

He added a judge has ordered him to get rid of his goats and sheep, as well as compensate his neighbor for the damage the cows did when they got out. 

No suspects have been identified into the incidents

Hate to tell you

   Hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but hate crimes are on the rise in Tennessee. The state’s Bureau of Investigations has issued a report that shows an increase of over 50 percent in hate crimes in 2011. And with summer coming on, the economy spinning its wheels, and the noise swirling around such “hot-button” issues as race, religion and sexual orientation growing ever-more deafening, the number promises to keep rising along with the thermometer.

   What is a hate crime? In Tennessee it’s defined as one in which a person is victimized because of “race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry or gender.” People charged with such offenses face the possibility of harsher sentences.

   While “hate crime” may be a relatively new term, hate is as old as the hills. We hate what we’re afraid of or don’t understand, and fear and ignorance will never go away. But you’d better wise up enough to watch who you’re hating – or you might have more time in the pokey to think about it.