Swastikas at Rego Park School Prompt Hate Crime Investigation

An anti-Semitic message scrawled on a Rego Park schoolyard last week. Photo via Councilmember Karen Koslowitz/Twitter

By David Brand

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state police would assist the NYPD in an ongoing hate crime investigation after dozens of swastikas and Nazi slogans were scrawled throughout a Rego Park schoolyard on Friday.

A hammer and sickle and the phrase “Hail Hitler” were also drawn on the yard at PS 139, while school was closed for winter break.

"I am appalled and disgusted by the Swastikas and other anti-Semitic symbols of hate that were scrawled in a Queens schoolyard,” Cuomo said in a statement Sunday. “In New York, we have zero tolerance for such vile acts of anti-Semitism. I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to immediately assist the NYPD in the investigation of this hideous act and hold those accountable to the full extent of the law.

 "New Yorkers stand with the Jewish community against anti-Semitism in all its forms, especially in the wake of the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in our nation's history,” Cuomo continued. “We declare that there is no hate in our state, and we will always stand together against hate and discrimination."

Councilmember Karen Koslowitz, State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi denounced the anti-Semitic graffiti in a joint statement Friday afternoon.

“There is no place for this hatred anywhere, let alone in Queens. We will not tolerate such vile acts. The cowards who committed this disgusting crime will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law. We applaud the fast action of the school and the 112 th precinct. The police will be investigating this matter as a hate crime and sharing more details with the community as the investigation continues,” the elected officials said.

Swastikas cover the schoolyard at PS 139 in Rego Park. Photo via Councilmember Karen Koslowitz/Twitter

Koslowitz also shared photos of the menacing vandalism on Twitter.

“I am horrified, disgusted, and nauseated, to say the least, of what I have witnessed today. Nazi imagery and anti-Semitic slurs were drawn at the PS 139 Playground in Rego Park,” she said. “I was on the scene today and most of the imagery has been washed away. Enough is enough!