Two people responsible for tagging Hillcrest businesses with anti-gay and antisemitic graffiti are now paying to help keep the neighborhood clean and safe.

The money they pay out in restitution will be used to create a fund that beautifies the Hillcrest community.

"Holding people accountable matters, and we're going to continue to do it with everything we've got," San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan.

Two young men recently pleaded guilty to vandalism and hate crimes after tagging murals with hateful messages, swastikas and anti-LGBTQ+ slurs on the corner of Fifth Street and Robinson Street.

"It's not just property damage. Hate crimes have a ripple effect whether it's a person or against property," Stephan said. "The feeling of fear, of disrespect, shame is something that ripples

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