Surveillance video shows arsonist torching early-learning center playground

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Authorities have released surveillance video showing what appears to be an arsonist torching the playground at the CAIRO Academy on Sunday.

The early-learning center serves immigrant and refugee families in Southeast Portland.

In the surveillance video, a person can be seen apparently sneaking around the playground at the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization (CAIRO) before setting the blaze in the middle of the night.

“The suspect appears to be a male, wearing a black hoodie and some shorts. The video is in night vision mode, and so it’s a little bit harder to see,” said Portland Police Bureau Major Crimes Unit Supervisor Sergeant Matthew Jacobson.

CAIRO is an organization that provides education, programs and services for children and their families.

“When a space that was supposed to say ‘you belong’ is suddenly marked by exclusion,” said Executive Director of CAIRO Abdikadir Bashir.

“This is so sad. My daughter did two years in preschool with CAIRO and she loved it and seeing this is heartbreaking,” said Hodan Abdi, a mother who belongs to the organization. 

Portland police say the playground was set on fire around 2 a.m. Sunday.  Their major crimes unit is looking into the case on the possibility that this was a bias crime.

“So this was obviously something that was done on purpose. This wasn’t by accident,” said  Jacobson.

Since the playground is behind the main building, hidden from view from the street, officials said they don’t think it was selected at random.

CAIRO leaders told KOIN 6 News they just finished building the playground after a year of fundraising, planning and building. 

“But here is what I want to say clearly and loudly, from my heart and with full conviction.  This fire may have taken down a structure, but it did not take our promise. It did not take our people, and most certainly did not take our resolve,” said Bashir. 

Families with CAIRO say this act makes them feel unsafe. 

“We want our kids to be safe and we are part of the community. This is our home, you know, they were born here, yeah, so seeing this is so sad,” said Abdi. 

CAIRO has a GoFundMe link raising money to rebuild the playground.