Nassau police investigate swastikas found in East Meadow High School classroom
Swastikas were found in a classroom at East Meadow High School on Monday, officials said. Police are investigating. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Two swastikas were found in a classroom in East Meadow High School, officials said, in the latest of recent antisemitic acts on Long Island.
School officials, in a letter to the East Meadow community, said the symbols were found on Monday by students, who immediately notified staff.
Nassau County police are investigating, school Principal Richard J. Howard wrote in the letter, which was distributed Tuesday.
“Appropriate action will be taken as this symbol of hatred and bigotry has no place in society, let alone in our schools,” he wrote.
“Furthermore, I ask all parents to understand that your assistance in disseminating this message to your children is vital for our school,” Howard said. “We share your frustration at even a single occurrence of such behavior, but we continue to believe that through partnership and education, progress will continue.”
Officials are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact — anonymously if desired — an administrator, teacher, social worker, or a member of the guidance department, he said.
Howard added that school officials were grateful to the students who came forward to report the incident.
Ken Rosner, East Meadow's superintendent of schools, said Tuesday that the district could not comment on the ongoing investigation.
“The East Meadow School District is taking this matter seriously and will do all it can to provide a safe and nurturing school environment for our students,” Rosner said in a statement.
The incident follows another this week in Montauk in which large swastikas and antisemitic graffiti were discovered at Ditch Plains Beach and in the hamlet's downtown business district.
Police are investigating those as hate crimes.
East Hampton Town Police Capt. Chris Anderson said about a half-dozen swastikas and slurs were reported to police sometime around midmorning Monday. Investigators believe they were spray-painted overnight Sunday into Monday. Many of the swastikas were 2 or 3 feet tall, he said.
Anderson said Tuesday there were no new developments in the case, but that authorities were asking the public to contact them with tips at 631-537-7575.
Two swastikas were found in a classroom in East Meadow High School, officials said, in the latest of recent antisemitic acts on Long Island.
School officials, in a letter to the East Meadow community, said the symbols were found on Monday by students, who immediately notified staff.
Nassau County police are investigating, school Principal Richard J. Howard wrote in the letter, which was distributed Tuesday.
“Appropriate action will be taken as this symbol of hatred and bigotry has no place in society, let alone in our schools,” he wrote.
“Furthermore, I ask all parents to understand that your assistance in disseminating this message to your children is vital for our school,” Howard said. “We share your frustration at even a single occurrence of such behavior, but we continue to believe that through partnership and education, progress will continue.”
Officials are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact — anonymously if desired — an administrator, teacher, social worker, or a member of the guidance department, he said.
Howard added that school officials were grateful to the students who came forward to report the incident.
Ken Rosner, East Meadow's superintendent of schools, said Tuesday that the district could not comment on the ongoing investigation.
“The East Meadow School District is taking this matter seriously and will do all it can to provide a safe and nurturing school environment for our students,” Rosner said in a statement.
The incident follows another this week in Montauk in which large swastikas and antisemitic graffiti were discovered at Ditch Plains Beach and in the hamlet's downtown business district.
Police are investigating those as hate crimes.
East Hampton Town Police Capt. Chris Anderson said about a half-dozen swastikas and slurs were reported to police sometime around midmorning Monday. Investigators believe they were spray-painted overnight Sunday into Monday. Many of the swastikas were 2 or 3 feet tall, he said.
Anderson said Tuesday there were no new developments in the case, but that authorities were asking the public to contact them with tips at 631-537-7575.
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