Swastikas Painted on Playgrounds in Brooklyn

In a troubling incident, swastikas were painted on playgrounds used by Jewish children in Brooklyn, prompting strong reactions from local leaders.

The first act of vandalism occurred at Gravesend Park in Borough Park on Tuesday, where a red swastika was found on a slide, as reported by the local community committee.

After the hateful graffiti was removed, vandals returned by Wednesday morning to add more swastikas and even scrawled “Adolf Hitler,” according to police reports.

Authorities have stated that the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating these incidents. Leaders in New York have denounced the hateful actions vehemently.

Governor Cathy Hochul expressed her outrage over the “depraved act of anti-Semitism” and noted the importance of ensuring children’s safety in their play areas. She emphasized that there is “no excuse” for such acts.

The park is situated at the intersection of 56th Street and 18th Avenue, in a neighborhood that caters to nearly 100,000 Jewish residents, many of whom are children.

These incidents occur amidst a wider context of increasing anti-Semitic attacks in New York City. NYPD crime statistics indicate that, in 2025 alone, there were 330 reported anti-Semitic hate crimes—accounting for more than half of all hate crimes in the city.

Mayor Zoran Mamdani shared his disgust regarding the vandalism, asserting that anti-Semitism should have no place in the city. He reassured that the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is actively involved, and those responsible will be held accountable.