New Rochelle residents say there is hateful and offensive graffiti on the side of a historic building in town.

News 12 was contacted about the graffiti that contains racial slurs that was posted on the side of the Pioneer Building on Lawton Street.

It's not clear when it appeared or who put it there.

People in the community say the words used are hateful.

The building dates back to the late 1800s and is on the National Register of Historic Places, according to a plaque on the building.

"This is so unacceptable. We celebrate all backgrounds and all diversity. This is just debilitating and depressing for anybody walking by here," says Jim Killoran, of New Rochelle.

Police say they are looking into the reports.