Port Washington police release images of 'person of interest' in swastika graffiti found on Sousa school
The Port Washington Police District is seeking the public's assistance in identifying this person. On Sunday at about 5:30 p.m., the pictured male is a person of interest regarding anti-Semitic graffiti found on John Philip Sousa Elementary School in Port Washington. Credit: Port Washington Police District
Port Washington police have released surveillance images of a "person of interest" in connection with an investigation into two swastikas found spray painted on the facades of a Port Washington elementary school Sunday night.
Port Washington Union Free School District Superintendent Michael Hynes had confirmed the incident Sunday in an open letter to the community, reporting the discovery of the graffiti on "the front and rear facades" of the John Philip Sousa Elementary School on Sands Point Road.
"Port Washington detectives are investigating in partnership with school officials, the Nassau County Police Department and the Hate Crimes Unit of the Nassau County District Attorney's Office," Port Washington police said at the time. "Hatred, bigotry and intolerance have no place in our community. The PWPD pledges to aggressively pursue the person(s) responsible and bring them to justice."
The surveillance images were released Wednesday along with an appeal to the public for help in identifying the person pictured, a hooded figure with glasses. The person was seen on camera at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Chief Thomas Ruehle of the neighboring Sands Point Police Department had confirmed his officers have increased patrols in the area surrounding The Community Synagogue, which is not far from the elementary school, adding: "Although, we are constantly checking and driving the property when there aren't situations like this."
In an email correspondence, officials at The Community Synagogue said they were "deeply saddened and angry" at the act of anti-Semitism.
In his email to the community, Hynes said the district had taken "the necessary steps" to ensure any images were removed from the school's exterior walls before the arrival of students Monday.
Swastikas painted on the front and rear facades of John Philip Sousa Elementary School were discovered on Sunday night, according to the Port Washington school district. Credit: Google Maps
He added: "The Port Washington School District and its educators are committed to creating an inclusive environment where our students are taught and encouraged to treat all people with kindness and respect."
Hynes noted that the district partners with the Holocaust Museum and Tolerance Center in Glen Cove and parents and community groups to "continue educating our students on the lasting damage from symbols of hate."
State Senator Anna M. Kaplan (D-North Hills) issued a statement Monday condemning the vandalism and saying: "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.
North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth released a statement saying: "The rise of hate crimes throughout the country is extremely upsetting, and it becomes even more upsetting when something offensive like this occurs in our own backyard."
Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to call the Port Washington Police Department at 516-883-0500 or email tips@pwpd.ny.gov.
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.”
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
