Graffiti on playground equipment at Estella park in Seaford investigated as possible hate crime

Nassau County police are investigating a potential hate crime after offensive graffiti was found on playground equipment at Estella Park Playground on Seamans Neck Road in Seaford on Monday.

Police did not immediately detail the nature of the graffiti.

But in a statement, Town of Hempstead spokesman Greg Blower said: “The Town of Hempstead has a zero-tolerance policy regarding all forms of hate crimes, graffiti and vandalism.”

Town employees “began removing the graffiti from the property” immediately after discovering it, Blower said.

Police said no suspects have been identified.

Town officials will continue to work with police to “ensure that our beautiful streets, parks, businesses and local establishments remain free of all forms of graffiti to help preserve our community’s quality of life," Blower said.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact their local precinct or to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS.

All calls will remain confidential.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”