Swastikas Found On Road Signs In Mokena

MOKENA, IL -- Multiple Nazi symbols were found on signs in Mokena Sunday night. Mokena Police Chief Steve Vaccaro confirmed Monday that five swastika images were spotted by a Mokena police officer during a shift on Sunday. They were tagged on a stop sign, two Do Not Enter signs, a speed limit sign and on the front of a business on 2nd Street.

Amanda Herman says she first saw one sprayed on a speed limit sign on Division Street around 7 p.m. and shared an image of it on Facebook. While a little unclear because it was sprayed in black paint over a black painted speed limit numeral, a closer look shows that the symbol is clearly a swastika.

Herman's discovery was made at the corner of Division and 2nd streets. Vaccaro said similar images were found on a stop sign at Division and Front, Do Not Enter signs at Division and 3rd and Wolf Road and St. Mary's and on a business sign in the 11000 block of 2nd Street.

"There's no indication this is anything more than kids tagging the signs," said Vaccaro, who indicated there's no reason for residents to be concerned about any hate groups entering the area.

Vaccaro said the images were being removed by Public Works crews in the village Monday morning.

An image of a swastika on a stop sign at Division and Carpenter streets was also found by Herman, who shared an image of the defacement on Facebook. She says the issue should be taken seriously even if the vandals are just "dumb kids."

"Teach your kids what this means and why they shouldn't do this," she said. "Egg my house. Smash my pumpkins. TP my lawn. That is normal kids stuff. This is hate."

Have you been a victim to or have witnessed a similar act? Tell your story here.

Photos courtesy of Amanda Herman