Hail Hitler or Teen Prank? 57 Swastikas Painted in Brooklyn Children's Playground, Sparks Antisemitism Uproar
Authorities in Brooklyn have arrested two teenagers in connection with a wave of antisemitic graffiti at a children's playground in the Borough Park neighbourhood.The vandalism first came to light on Monday when Gravesend Park officials responded to complaints and found roughly 16 swastikas painted in red on playground equipment, walls, and pavement.Police returned to the site on Wednesday following a second report and discovered the scope of the damage had expanded. Investigators found approximately 57 swastikas in red, blue, and yellow paint, along with the words 'Adolf Hitler' written across various surfaces.Nazi symbols and references were used in the pictures, which immediately attracted the concern of local residents and the leaders.The frequent vandalism has been attributed to a hate crime case, according to the police, highlighting the alarming signs and how they can cause terror among the Jewish community.After investigations, two 15-year-old teenagers were arrested by the NYPD on Thursday. Both are accused of aggravated harassment, which is a severe crime under New York law, and one of criminal mischief as a hate crime.The arrests represent a major move by law enforcement to deal with hate-based vandalism, particularly in a community where cases of antisemitic attacks have been on the rise.Aggravated harassment on Jewish communityThe area represented by Brooklyn Community Board 12 shared photos of the vandalism on social media, condemning the act and being worried about its implications.'We're yet again at Gravesend Park with the NYPD 66th Precinct and Boro Park Shomrim where the walkways and play equipment were littered with swastikas. These sick individuals need to find out that actions have consequences,' the group said.'NYPD Hate Crimes is investigating. Hopefully justice will be served swiftly,' they added.The Jewish community that formed the bulk of the borough population of approximately 46,000 adults and 50,000 children was deeply affected by the hate symbols.Governor Kathy Hochul termed the vandalism a 'depraved act of antisemitism', and she was determined to fight hate crimes.'In a children's playground where our kids should feel safe and have fun,' she posted on X. 'There is no excuse. There is zero tolerance,' she said.Hochul instructed the Hate Crimes Task Force of the state to support the work of the NYPD.Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared the same sentiments, as he denounced the vandalism and said that the city stood by the Jewish community, saying that there should be no antisemitism in New York City.Rising tide of antisemitismThe Brooklyn case happens within a greater context of rising anti-Semitic actions throughout New York City and the US.According to the data of the NYPD, the number of hate crime incidents in the city in 2023 was 576, and some 330 were directed at Jewish people.This increase has been linked to a rise in tensions associated with the Israel-Hamas conflict that started in October 2023, which has been linked to an increase in hate speech, threats and violence.'Antisemitic incidents were down 3%, but still accounted for 57% of all hate crimes reported in 2025, despite Jewish New Yorkers representing approximately 10% of the city's population,' according to a statement by the NYPD earlier this month.
