Essex Sheriff's Crew Removes Racist Graffiti From Salem Willows

SALEM, MA — The Essex County Sheriff's Office said its Anti-Graffiti Crew removed racist graffiti from a rock at Salem Willows Thursday in the third such incident in the city in recent weeks.

"While he enjoys helping out the community, one of our crew members remarked how he wishes vandals would appreciate the beauty of the area we live in and stop the destruction," the Sheriff's Office posted on its Twitter account.

Earlier this week, Salem police reported a swastika sticker with threatening language was found on a fire alarm box on Essex Street.

Two weeks ago, Salem Superintendent of Schools Steve Zrike said a swastika was found at the high school.

"The city strongly condemns these heinous acts," Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said in response to the latest incident. "These incidents are evidence that no community, even one as welcoming as Salem, is immune from hatred. We must remain ever vigilant in denouncing these acts and in supporting efforts to combat bigotry and hatred.

"In Salem, we strive to be an inclusive community and to educate and advocate with others on this important goal," she added. "We must be tireless in our efforts to bridge our differences and continue to support each other within the diverse community that we are all fortunate enough to call home."

The Salem Willows graffiti comes on the same day Danvers officials condemned the hanging of an apparent noose on the main sign of the Northshore Universalist Unitarian Chuch Monday night.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

More Patch Coverage: Apparent Noose Hung On Danvers Church Sign

Second Swastika Found On Salem Fire Box On Tuesday

Swastika Found At Salem High School: 'It's Very Concerning'