Somebody painted a swastika on a area people pool, in keeping with police who’re investigating “this act of vandalism and hate.”
Cops on Wednesday morning responded to the antisemitic image on the Wayland Neighborhood Pool.
The police division launched a legal investigation, and the Services Division painted over the swastika.
The world of the graffiti just isn’t lit at evening, and the world is partially blocked by a tree, in keeping with city officers.
“However, given that this incident occurred on a main road in our town, there is concern that members of our community, including school students, may have seen the symbol,” the Wayland officers added.
Wayland Public Colleges notified households of the incident, and college officers have been reaching out to college students and adults who’re “directly impacted by this act of hate.”
“We are deeply saddened and angered to hear of this incident,” the city officers stated. “This hateful act does not reflect Wayland’s values and will not be tolerated in our Town. Hatred will be called out and denounced in all its forms, and we will not tolerate incidents such as this one violating our nation’s basic principles and attempting to intimidate our community members.”
The Wayland Police Detective Unit is investigating the incident.
The police division has additionally contacted the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL management workforce will help the police division and neighborhood members throughout this investigation.
“We are committed to fostering an atmosphere where everyone in Wayland feels safe, supported, and welcomed,” the city officers stated. “We are at our best as a community when we can live without fear of violence, discrimination, exclusion, or humiliation.
“As members of the Wayland community, we extend our unconditional support and solidarity to anyone who has been victimized by antisemitism, through this incident or any other act,” they added. “We are committed to continuing to provide resources, support, and education to guide our community away from hate.”
City leaders, Rabbi Danny Burkeman of Temple Shir Tikva, and Rabbi David Finkelstein of Congregation Or Atid on Wednesday met to debate the incident.
“Given rising levels of antisemitism in this country, it is unsurprising that our Town has once again been desecrated by the drawing of a swastika in a public space,” Burkeman stated. “The response to this hateful act cannot be from the Jewish community alone; our Town must come together to unequivocally reject antisemitism to ensure that Jews, and all other residents, feel safe and welcomed here in Wayland.”
“As the rabbi of Congregation Or Atid, one of Wayland’s Jewish institutions, I strongly condemn this act of vandalism and hate placed where many of our children and educators were exposed to it,” Finkelstein stated. “I appreciate the responsiveness of Chief Burman, the administration of Wayland Public Schools and the township, and I look forward to the responses of Wayland residents and their expression of support for their neighbors who are targeted by hate.”
Police are urging anybody who has info concerning this incident or who seen suspicious exercise within the space of Previous Connecticut Path to name the Wayland Police Division at 508-358-4721 or the Nameless Tip Line at 508-358-1726.
