Anti-Semitic, homophobic vandals deface car in Hillcrest
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Police are investigating anti-Semitic vandalism of a car in Hillcrest that was discovered early Monday morning. Photo via Google Maps
By Victoria Merlino
Police are investigating an anti-Semitic attack in Hillcrest that vandalized the inside of a car with swastikas and anti-gay language early Monday morning.
A 49-year-old man told police that his significant other parked on 173th Street near 76th Avenue. When he checked on the car around 5:50 a.m. on Monday, he found a door open, with punctures in the driver’s seat, three swastikas drawn in the car and anti-gay language written in the backseat, the NYPD told the Eagle.
There are no suspects at this time, according to the NYPD, but the 107th Precinct is investigating.
Assemblymember Nily Rozic, who represents the area, condemned the latest instance of anti-Semitic incidence.
“We cannot let waking up to new acts of anti-Semitism become the new normal. Whether it's in the heart of my district or anywhere across the state, it is becoming abundantly clear that we must do more to combat the rise of hate crimes that are increasingly instilling fear,” she said in a statement to the Eagle.
“Now more than ever, our partnership with local law enforcement is critical as we remain vigilant and work towards rebuilding a sense of safety that has been torn away from our communities,” she continued.
Assemblymember Daniel Ronsenthal was one of the first to share pictures of the attack on social media.
“With the dramatic rise in antisemitism in New York State, the Queens Jewish community has been extremely concerned; this morning our fears were realized,” he said in a statement. “The targeted attacks on Jews is escalating at an alarming rate and has reared its ugly head in our own backyard overnight. We will not submit to this tightening clench of hate, and we will not stop fighting until Jewish New Yorkers are able to feel safe in our own neighborhoods and homes again.”
This marks the latest in a string of anti-Semitic incidents that have plagued the New York City area this past year, including the violent attacks against a Hanukkah party in Rockland County and a kosher market in Jersey City in December. In Queens, anti-Semitic messages have been spotted in Ridgewood, Breezy Point, Belle Harbor and Rego Park.
Hate crimes in general were up last year from 2018.
