Swastikas Painted Outside Long Island Elementary School

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Two large swastikas were found painted on the front and rear facades of the John Philip Sousa Elementary School in Port Washington Sunday night, school district officials said.

The hate symbols were found by school officials at about 6:40 p.m. and were immediately reported to the Port Washington and Nassau County police departments, according to district Superintendent of Schools Michael Hynes. District officials are working with the police “to conduct an investigation, and will take all appropriate action at the conclusion of the investigative process,” Hynes wrote in an email to parents on Sunday.

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

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, Hynes said.

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.”

He went on to say that the district partners with the Holocaust Museum and Tolerance Center and the HSA to continue educating students on “the lasting damage from symbols of hate.”

“The district has a zero tolerance for offensive sentiments and places a strong emphasis on providing students with a platform to understand the values of inclusion through programs and discussions about the impacts of hate language and actions,” he said. “All parents and students are encouraged to review the Resolution of Respect, which is a pillar of the Port Washington School District and reinforces our community's stand against hate.”

He urged parents to “feel free” to contact him or other building principals with any questions, noting that once police conclude their investigation, district officials will update the community on their findings.

Port Washington police Chief Robert Del Muro was not immediately available for comment.

Port Washington police said they are working with Nassau police and District Attorney Madeline Singas’ Hate Crimes Unit, and they are urging anyone with information about the incident to call 516-883-0500, or email tips@pwpd.ny.gov.

“Hatred, bigotry, and intolerable have no place in our community,” police district officials stated in a news release. The Port Washington Police Department pledges to aggressively pursue the person(s) responsible and bring them to justice.”

Sands Point Police Chief Thomas Ruehle told Newsday he increased patrols near The Community Synagogue, which is in the same neighborhood as the elementary school. "Although, we are constantly checking and driving the property when there aren't situations like this," he said.

Synagogue officials said they were "deeply saddened and angry" at the act of antisemitism in an email correspondence with Newsday.

It’s the second such act of vandalism in Port Washington in the last year. Vandals also painted swastikas inside the Police Athletic League building over last summer.