For the second time in three days, Gravesend Park in Borough Park, where many Haredi families spend time, suffered a severe antisemitic vandalism attack. Fifty-seven swastikas were spray-painted across walkways and playground equipment in the park located at 18th Avenue and 56th Street.
Community leaders toured the site alongside New York Police Department officers and volunteers from the Borough Park Shomrim (a Jewish volunteer safety patrol organization), and discovered the shocking extent of the damage. Similar hateful graffiti was found at the same location just this past Tuesday.
The NYPD Hate Crime Unit opened a comprehensive investigation following the incidents. Official sources made clear that "those responsible will be prosecuted" and emphasized that "justice is expected to be done swiftly."
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani strongly condemned the incident on X: "I am sickened by this antisemitic vandalism in Borough Park. Antisemitism has no place in our city, and I stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish New Yorkers who were targeted. My administration is working closely with the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force as well as our Parks Department, and those responsible will be investigated and held accountable."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued an unequivocal condemnation: "An antisemitic act in a children's playground where our kids should feel safe and have fun. There is no excuse. There is zero tolerance." Hochul directed the New York State Hate Crime Unit to assist the NYPD in identifying those responsible.
