Dozens of swastikas found at Gravesend Park; two teens arrested
Investigators say 57 swastikas were discovered across the park Wednesday morning, just days after 16 more were found painted along playground slides and court walls.
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Certain playground structures in Gravesend Park remains cordoned off with caution tape as crews work to erase what police describe as a disturbing pattern of hate.
Investigators say 57 swastikas were discovered across the park Wednesday morning, just days after 16 more were found painted along playground slides and court walls. While much of the graffiti has been cleaned, streaks of red and blue paint still mark walls and playground structures.
“That was my playground. I played there 70 years ago,” said resident Joe. “Any kind of hate , antisemitism, anti-Jew, anti-Muslim, anti-Christian, anti-Black - it’s wrong. It’s just not right.”
For families who frequent the park, the discoveries have been deeply unsettling.
“I’m shocked,” said resident Lylia. “I have three children who play there all the time after school. Now I make sure we go outside together, because I’m worried.”
The incidents have drawn swift condemnation from city leaders. Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the vandalism “sickening,” while City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced new legislative action aimed at preventing future hate crimes, including plans to install security cameras at the park as part of a broader five-point initiative to combat antisemitism.
“We are moving bills that create safe zones around houses of worship and schools,” Menin said. “We’ll be voting on them February 12th, and we’re moving very quickly because this is an urgent crisis.”
Police say two 15-year-old boys were arrested Thursday afternoon. One faces charges of aggravated harassment and hate-crime criminal mischief. The other is charged with aggravated harassment.
City Councilmember Eric Dinowitz says enforcement must be paired with education.
“We need to make sure incidents like this don’t happen again, through education and prevention,” Dinowitz said.
Investigators say they are continuing to search for a possible accomplice.
