Michelle Kim

Swastikas, Hateful Graffiti Found Drawn in Chalk on Queens School Playground

Police are investigating after hateful graffiti was scrawled in chalk all over a playground in Queens, officials said. 

Neighbors found swastikas and hateful messages drawn on chalk on the playground of PS 139 in Rego Park on Friday. There was no school this week, so students weren't in the building. 

The Department of Education said a custodian found the graffiti Friday morning and immediately contacted NYPD, who arrived and closed down the playground as they investigated. 

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 today and most of the imagery has been washed away. Enough is enough!" 

Police confirmed they were investigating, and that the hate crimes unit has been notified. 

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