Portsmouth Police Seek Tips In Swastikas, Graffiti Vandalism Incidents: Watch

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Police in Portsmouth are asking for the public’s help finding out who was responsible for hitting more than a dozen locations downtown with graffiti Monday — including hate symbols like Swastikas.

Around 2:30 a.m., unknown suspects spray painted businesses and houses of worship, at least 14, with red paint. Police believe houses of worship appeared to be “intentional targeting.” Some also included political messages.

In an alert, the department said it took “hate-motivated crimes very seriously and is actively engaged in the investigation of this incident.”

Investigators are asking for assistance from the residents and businesses of the downtown area — particularly with video surveillance that might capture the suspect. The activity appeared to be largely confined to the portion of the downtown between Deer, Middle, and Court streets, with additional instances on Marcy Street.

Police posted two Ring videos on Facebook. Here:

And here:

New Hampshire’s attorney general said the department’s justice civil rights unit was also working with police on the case. The department noted there were at least 10 Swastikas, including one on a Jewish synagogue.

“This type of hateful and threatening criminal activity, motivated by racial or religious intolerance, particularly at places of worship, has no place in New Hampshire and will not be tolerated,” Attorney General John M. Formella said. “We will work to find and prosecute whoever is responsible, to the fullest extent of the law. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office along with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, encourage anyone with information to come forward. Our communities are safer and stronger when we all join together and have zero tolerance for violence motivated by hatred for our fellow citizens whether based on race, creed, or other protected characteristics.”

State Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kowka, D-Portsmouth, also condemned the vandalism. She said the Senate Democratic Caucus was standing in solidarity with the city's citizens, “particularly the marginalized groups, members of the Jewish and BIPOC community, targeted in last night’s string of attacks.” She added, “The vandalization of homes, businesses, government buildings, and places of worship in my hometown of Portsmouth is reprehensible and has no place in New Hampshire or this country. Tragically, such bigoted and hateful acts are now not uncommon, in this nation or in New Hampshire; these acts are a direct consequence of unchecked hate speech and rhetoric on the national stage that has gone on for far too long.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, also denounced the vandalism, noting that the owner of the coffee shop was also Joanna Kelley, the city’s assistant mayor.

“The threat of racist hate and white supremacy is, unfortunately, growing nationwide,” CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said, “and that threat must be challenged by all Americans of goodwill who reject hate and welcome an inclusive society.”

There has been a spate of graffiti cases, including Swatiskas and other offensive symbols, around New Hampshire in the past few years.

Anyone with any information about the graffiti was asked to call Det. Sgt. McCarthy at 603-616-7656, or remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 431-1199 or 1-207-439-1199, or its website seacoastcrimestoppers.org.

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