Anti-Semitic Graffiti Investigated At Hamden High School

HAMDEN, CT — School officials and Hamden Police are investigating after a student found anti-Semitic comments and swastikas written inside two different bathroom stalls at Hamden High School this week. The graffiti was found in two separate student bathrooms and the student who discovered it immediately reported it to staff, according to officials.

WTNH News 8’s Mario Boone reports school officials notified parents in a letter Wednesday night of the “two instances of hateful and discriminatory” graffiti that was found at the school. Officials said the graffiti didn’t indicate any specific or imminent threats.

“The Hamden High School administration takes an uncompromising stance against such abhorrent, exclusionary displays and is investigating the matter alongside school security and the Hamden Police Department to identify and hold the offending party accountable,” officials wrote in the letter. “The act is in stark contrast with the character of the wider school community, which works each day to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment and workplace for all of its members.”

Officials also wrote that Hamden High School is “proud of being one of the most diverse schools in the state and will continue to protect that legacy by combatting any efforts that undermine the good work staff and students display daily.”

Superintendent of Schools Jody Goeler addressed the issue in a Tweet on Thursday night, saying “I am proud of HHS’s efforts to build a more inclusive culture and ensure there is no place for hate. Hateful behavior is not tolerated in any of our schools. Let’s stand together to support their efforts.”

Board of Education member Walter Morton IV wrote in a Tweet: “We won't stand for this nonsense. This incident is not at all indicative of who we are as a school district and Town.”

Hamden Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.

“Hate and hateful symbols will not be tolerated in our schools, or our community in general,” police wrote in a post on Facebook. “For those effected by these recent images of hate, know that we stand with you and will investigate to the fullest. We ask anyone with information to come forward. If your students have information, please encourage them to meet with our School Resource Officers, or call the Hamden PD front desk 203-230-4030. Thank you for helping Hamden stomp out hate.”