Antisemitic and racist graffiti scrawled on the street in a town in northern New Jersey over Halloween as been condemned as 'd...
Antisemitic and racist graffiti scrawled on the street in a town in northern New Jersey over Halloween as been condemned as 'disturbing' and 'a hate crime'.
The graffiti was found in Woodcliff Lake, in the Woodmont neighbourhood, on the morning of October 31.
The mayor of Woodcliff Lake shared the photographs of the graffiti scrawled in white chalk on Woodmont Drive which included a swastika, the drawing of a penis, and the words 'Jews' and 'n-----'.
Antisemitic and racist graffiti was found scrawled on the street in Woodcliff Lake, a town in northern New Jersey, on Halloween morning
Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carols A. Rendo said: 'These images are disturbing and criminal. It is vandalism and a hate crime.
'The perpetrators will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. Any resident with information on this please contact our police department.
The crime happened on Mischief Night, an informal holiday on the night before Halloween, when children and teenagers are emboldened to engage in pranks and vandalism.
The extent of their pranks usually range from dangling toilet paper and silly string from trees, and throwing soap or eggs on parked cars.
The graffiti was found in the Woodmont neighbourhood and included a swastika, the drawing of a penis, the words 'Jews' and 'n-----'
Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carols A. Rendo condemned the vandalism, saying: 'These images are disturbing and criminal. It is vandalism and a hate crime'
The Mayor Carols A. Rendo told the New York Post: 'A resident text me early in the morning and I was quite disturbed and upset by it.'
He said he expects that the perpetrators are 'ignorant kids who thought it was funny.'
According to the Post, there are a significant number of Jewish Americans living in Woodcliff Lake.
Mercy Gaete commented on the mayor's post on Facebook, writing: 'Absolutely disgraceful. It does not matter how old these "kids" are. This is learned behavior.
'This is a hate crime and they should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.'
He said he expects that the perpetrators are 'ignorant kids who thought it was funny' and Woodcliff Lake police department are conducting an investigation
A police investigation into the 'hate speech' incident is underway.
The Woodcliff Lake police department tweeted: 'The WCLPD is investigating a bias incident regarding hate speech and symbols displayed in the area of Woodmont Drive.
'Residents with info are encouraged to contact police HQ at 201-391-8222. We are taking this matter very seriously as this conduct is unacceptable in our community.'
Bias crimes in New Jersey are on the rise. Last year, the state of New Jersey logged 994 bias incidents, almost a 75% increase from the year before.
It is the most largest year-to-year increase since New Jersey began tracking incidents and the state’s highest total.
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