Swastikas found in Bay Ridge and Gravesend

Swastikas were recently discovered marring public areas in both Bay Ridge and Gravesend.

On Wednesday, May 24, when people gathered on the 69th Street Pier to watch Fleet Week’s annual parade of ships, some of those present noticed the hate symbol drawn in marker there.

The defacement was reported to State Senator Marty Golden’s office, and, said Golden, “My staff purchased the appropriate paint and contacted the NYPD. Upon conclusion of their investigation, my staff painted over the swastikas and erased any signs of hatred. There is no place in our world, and definitely not in our neighborhood, for such a despicable act to take place.”

Councilmember Vincent Gentile agreed. “Whether it was undertaken with malicious intent or sheer stupidity, I have zero tolerance for this abhorrent graffiti and this action is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” he told this paper in a statement. “There is no place for targeted hate towards Jews or any group in our community. I have faith that the NYPD will find whomever is responsible and bring them to justice. But let this serve as a reminder that we must remain ever vigilant in our denouncement of these types of actions and in our support for combating hatred and bigotry in whatever form it may take.”

Also on Wednesday, another swastika was founded carved into the sidewalk at the corner of McDonald Avenue and Avenue W. Councilmember Mark Treyger was notified and with the help of the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), it was removed two days later, on Friday, May 26.

Treyger has requested that the NYPD investigate the situation.

“I urge the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force to get involved, investigate the matter, and make sure that the perpetrator of this hateful act is found,” he said. “As the grandson of Holocaust survivors and World War II veterans, I take incidents like this extremely seriously. This type of act is not one to be taken lightly, especially at a time when our city works to be an inclusive safe haven for people of all backgrounds and denominations.

“Symbols of bigotry and hate have no place anywhere in our community, and I thank the Department of Transportation for acting quickly to remove the symbol,” Treyger went on. “Most of all, I thank the constituent who noticed this disturbing image, and rather than simply ignoring it, took the time to notify our office. Vigilance against the spread of hate and intolerance is a responsibility we all share.”