3 Swastikas Found Scrawled At Darien's Middlesex Middle School

DARIEN, CT — The discovery last week of three Swastikas scrawled on an exterior window at Middlesex Middle School in Darien has prompted a police report and investigation by district officials, according to authorities.

School Principal Shelley Somers notified parents in an email about the discovery, stressing that such incidents will not be tolerated at the school.

"As you know, we have zero tolerance for this type of behavior, and hate has no place at Middlesex," Somers wrote in the email obtained by Patch. "Although I am hoping this is an isolated incident, we will be vigilant in patrolling our campus, in discussing the impact of symbols and hate crimes with our students, and in communicating with you. Thank you."

Darien Police Sgt. James Palmieri told Patch that the images appeared to have been written in crayon, and it may have been written on the window between Sept. 6 and Sept. 9.

The School Resource Officer assigned to Middlesex Middle School photographed the image and took a report, but the investigation is largely being conducted by school and district staff, Palmieri said.

"Obviously the SRO is working with the MMS administration to monitor the situation in the event this is not a 'one off,'" Palmieri added.

Last week's incident in Darien was not the only instance of vulgar imagery found at a Fairfield County school.

In a separate incident in Westport last week, a Swastika and other antisemitic graffiti was found scrawled at Staples High School, which also prompted a swift response from public officials and the school.