Swastikas at Cedarhurst train station, again

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced on Jan. 14 an aggressive, joint initiative between the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Police after two new swastikas were discovered at the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) Cedarhurst station this year. County Executive Mangano also announced a Crime Stoppers reward for information leading to an arrest in these cases.

“While the MTA Police have full jurisdiction over crimes that occur on Long Island Rail Road platforms, the Nassau County Police Department has offered assistance as it is alarming that Cedarhurst residents have been subjected to several hateful symbols on MTA properties," he said in a prepared statement. "Crime Stoppers has offered an award of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest. Nassau County will not tolerate these detestable acts and is partnering with the MTA by offering its intelligence-led policing assets to strengthen the MTA efforts to apprehend those responsible for such hate crimes.”

Within the first two weeks of the year, the swastikas were etched into the panels of the waiting shelters at the Long Island Rail Road train station. MTA officials replaced the damaged panels and said they are looking into security measures.

At least a dozen incidents of similar bias graffiti have occurred at the station since December 2012. Last year, a Cedarhurst yeshiva student from Far Rockaway was arrested in connection with eight of those incidents.

"Neighbors in our communities have had enough of anti-Semitic graffiti,” said Legislator Howard J. Kopel. “Law enforcement will catch the perpetrator of this hate speech and we'll get this ignorant person off the streets. If you have any information that could lead to the apprehension of those responsible, please contact CrimeStoppers or the MTA Police immediately."

To assist police, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS (8477) or contact the MTA Police Detective Division District #2 directly at 516-222-6501. Refer to PD case #12-14636.