Police Release Images Of 'Person Of Interest' In LI Hate Graffiti

Peggy Spellman Hoey

April 28, 2021

Originally published in Patch

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Port Washington police have released images from security camera footage of a person of interest in a case where two large swastikas were found painted outside of a school, in hopes the public can identify the person.

Police described the person of interest as a "male" whose image was captured on film at about 5:30 p.m., though they did not indicate where. The released images show a male wearing glasses, a black hooded sweatshirt, athletic pants, and white sneakers.\

The anti-Semitic symbols were found on the front and rear facades of the John Philip Sousa Elementary School by school administrators at about 6:40 p.m. on Sunday night and were immediately reported to the Port Washington and Nassau County police departments, Superintendent of Schools Michael Hynes said Monday.

Port Washington police said they are working with Nassau police and District Attorney Madeline Singas' Hate Crimes Unit. They are now urging anyone with information about the graffiti to call Det. Michael Cetta at 516-883-0500, ext. 10, or email tips@pwpd.ny.gov. All tips will remain anonymous.

After the graffiti was discovered Hynes wrote an email to parents explaining school officials were working with the police "to conduct an investigation, and will take all appropriate action at the conclusion of the investigative process."

"I am outraged this has happened and will make sure we do everything we can to find the perpetrator(s)," Hynes wrote.

State Sen. Anna Kaplan (D-North Hills) said she is "outraged and disgusted by the anti-Semitic hate crime."

"Hatred and anti-Semitism will never be welcome in our community, and its incumbent on us all to speak out forcefully and unequivocally against it whenever we encounter it," she said. Kaplan said she has been in touch with law enforcement and has offered her full support in the investigation "to find whoever is responsible for this despicable act and hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law."

The district immediately began taking the necessary steps to ensure the images were removed from the school's walls prior to the arrival of students, according to Hynes.

Hynes said the district and its educators are "committed to creating an inclusive environment" where students are "taught and encouraged to treat all people with kindness and respect."