HATE CRIME IN REGO PARK:

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Dozens Of Swastikas, Anti-Semitic Messages Found In Public School Playground

The New York Police Department Hate Crimes Unit is investigating swastikas and anti-Semitic messages drawn on a school playground.

Dozens of swastikas and anti-Semitic messages, including “Heil Hitler” and “No Jews Allowed” were drawn in chalk on the playground of a public school in Rego Park, in Queens, New York.

The drawings were discovered by the school’s custodian on Friday, according to reports. School was not in session, but the playground was open to the public.

“There’s no question there is a huge uptick in real hate crime of all types,” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told WNYC on Friday. “In this city we’ve seen it in a horrible manner, particularly lately anti-Semitic hate crimes.”

"I am appalled and disgusted by the Swastikas and other anti-Semitic symbols of hate that were scrawled in a Queens schoolyard,” NY Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. “In New York, we have zero tolerance for such vile acts of anti-Semitism. I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to immediately assist the NYPD in the investigation of this hideous act and hold those accountable to the full extent of the law. New Yorkers stand with the Jewish community against anti-Semitism in all its forms, especially in the wake of the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in our nation's history,” Cuomo continued. “We declare that there is no hate in our state, and we will always stand together against hate and discrimination."

Local councilwoman Karen Koslowitz tweeted: “I am horrified, disgusted, and nauseated, to say the least, of what I have witnessed today. Nazi imagery and anti-Semitic slurs were drawn at the PS 139 Playground in Rego Park. I was on the scene and most of the imagery has been washed away. Enough is enough!”

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng also denounced the hateful graffiti in a statement.

“I am outraged and sickened that hate has reared its ugly head in our community,” Meng said. “The drawings found in the playground of P.S. 139 are disgusting and unacceptable and everybody throughout this diverse and welcoming borough must condemn these anti-Semitic images. There is no place for hate in Queens or anywhere in our society and these acts will not be tolerated,” she continued. “I thank the hardworking detectives of the NYPD who are investigating, and I hope the perpetrators are found and swiftly brought to justice.”