Palin, McCain display sparks outcry

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 27 (UPI) -- A Southern California Halloween display with a likeness of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin hanging by a noose sparked hate-crime reports by neighbors, police say.

Several people complained to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department about the display in West Hollywood, Calif., the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

The sheriff's department said, however, the incident does not constitute a hate crime because the hanging effigy of the Republican vice presidential nominee is part of a Halloween display, which also features a doll of Republican presidential nominee John McCain surrounded by "flames" in the chimney.

"I'm not defending this; I'm not criticizing it. It doesn't rise to the level of hate crime," said Steve Whitmore, a sheriff's department spokesman. "Now, if there was a crime against bad taste ... ."

Sgt. Kristin Aloma of the sheriff's West Hollywood station said that since Sunday she had received five to 10 calls from residents offended by the display.