{"id":108725,"date":"2026-01-22T16:46:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T16:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/108725\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T16:46:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T16:46:10","slug":"brooklyn-playground-covered-with-more-than-50-swastikas-in-two-day-antisemitic-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/108725\/","title":{"rendered":"Brooklyn playground covered with more than 50 swastikas in two-day antisemitic attack"},"content":{"rendered":"

A crew of vandals covered a Brooklyn playground in a Jewish neighborhood with more than 50 swastikas during a two-day attack<\/a>, police and city officials said Thursday.<\/p>\n

The swastikas were drawn with red, yellow, and blue paint on slides, playground equipment and the handball court at Gravesend Park<\/a> at 56th St. and 18th Ave. in Borough Park, officials said.<\/p>\n

The hate symbols were found covering the park on both Tuesday and Wednesday, drawing the ire of politicians and community leaders.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI am sickened by this antisemitic vandalism in Borough Park,\u201d Mayor Mamdani said on X late Wednesday. \u201cAntisemitism has no place in our city, and I stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish New Yorkers who were targeted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy administration is working closely with the NYPD\u2019s Hate Crimes Task Force as well as our Parks Department, and those responsible will be investigated and held accountable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"HatefulHateful vandalism at Gravesend Park in Brooklyn. (Community Board 12)<\/p>\n

Members of Community Board 12 alerted the 66th Precinct on Tuesday after the hateful graffiti was found peppered throughout the park.<\/p>\n

After board members and police toured the playground, the vandals returned Tuesday night, drawing more than 25 swastikas on the playground equipment, the sidewalk and the handball courts, bringing the total over two days to 57.<\/p>\n

Pictures of the vandalism shared by Community Board 12 show red and blue swastikas on the handball courts along with the words \u201cAdolf Hitler.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three swastikas were also found drawn on a metal playground slide.<\/p>\n

\u201cSame park different day,\u201d Community Board 12 said on X. \u201cA day later and this is what happened. We are requesting that @NYPDHateCrimes pull out all the stops to catch these vile Jew haters.\u201d<\/p>\n

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the vandalism.<\/p>\n

Former governor and mayoral hopeful Andrew Cuomo also took to social media to blast the vandals.<\/p>\n

We’re yet again at Gravesend Park with @NYPD66Pct<\/a> and @BPShomrim<\/a> where the walkways and play equipment were littered with swastikas. These sick individuals need to find out that actions have consequences. @NYPDHateCrimes<\/a> is investigating. Hopefully justice will be served swiftly. pic.twitter.com\/UriRDE9lUe<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Community Board 12 (@BrooklynCB12) January 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThis hateful defacement of a children\u2019s playground isn\u2019t just vile \u2013 it\u2019s criminal<\/a>,\u201d Cuomo wrote. \u201cThe person or people responsible must be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Inaction only emboldens antisemitic hate, and it\u2019s getting worse by the day. True New Yorkers will not tolerate this. We stand with our Jewish community, and we will not be intimidated.\u201d<\/p>\n

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine said the brazen vandalism shows that \u201cthere is a concerted effort underway to normalize Nazi symbols<\/a> and slogans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNYC can\u2019t let that happen,\u201d Levine said. \u201cThis is a hate crime and the people responsible must be held accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last year, hate crimes investigations in the five boroughs decreased by 12%, from 657 in 2024 to 576, officials said.<\/p>\n

Antisemitic incidents also dropped by 3% but still accounted for 57% of all hate crimes reported in 2025, cops said, adding that\u00a0 Jewish New Yorkers represent about 10% of the city\u2019s population.<\/p>\n

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call NYPD Crime Stoppers<\/a> at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.<\/p>\n

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