Houston Firefighter Gives Handwriting Sample

A female Houston firefighter submitted handwriting samples Wednesday morning as part of an investigation into sexist and racist graffiti.

HOUSTON --

A female Houston firefighter submitted handwriting samples Wednesday morning as part of an investigation into sexist and racist graffiti found on her locker, as well as that of another female firefighter, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Jane Draycott, from Station 54, complied with a court order. She spent about two hours at the central police station, accompanied by her husband and attorney.

"I don't think it's right, but we're here to cooperate in any way we can because we do want them to find who did this," Draycott said.

In July, Draycott and Paula Keyes reported finding graffiti in their lockers, and racist and sexist graffiti on the walls of their living quarters at fire station 54. Their pictures were also vandalized. Someone wrote "dead" across the picture of Draycott's daughter who died in a car accident more than two years ago. The word "die" was written across her face in the same picture.

The women said they had endured harassment from male firefighters for months.

"I do think they're trying to pin this on her because apparently they don't want a finding that somebody at the fire department did this," said Joe Ahmed, Draycott's attorney.

Last week, Draycott voluntarily submitted to a polygraph test. Her attorney said it's not fair for investigators to single her out.

"She's given a handwriting sample. The men haven't given a handwriting sample. She's taken a polygraph. The men haven't taken a polygraph. It's about time that somebody start investigating who did this. It's been a month now and they've done nothing but focus on Jane," Ahmed said.

There was no comment from investigators. But Mayor Bill White said no one should rush to judgment before the investigation is complete.

"I know nothing about the details, about who's being polygraphed and who's being questioned, nor do I think it's appropriate that the mayor start interfering with an investigation," White said.

The Office of Inspector General requested the tests.

An attorney said rumors surfaced that one of them was involved in the offensive graffiti.

Ahmad has said previously that it is untrue and his clients were willing to take the test because they have nothing to hide.

There are about 4,000 Houston firefighters, with 11 always on duty at Fire Station 54.

Keys and Draycott are the only two female firefighters assigned to Station 54.

Also on Wednesday, city council approved $190,000 to hire two law firms to review the fire departments equal opportunity policy and grievance procedures.

Copyright 2009 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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