Swastikas, 'Hitler,' Vandalism At Abandoned Jackson Home Probed

JACKSON, NJ — Swastikas and anti-Semitic messages painted inside and out at a Jackson Township home along with significant damage is under investigation as a bias incident. Jackson Township police said Thursday.

The graffiti and damage was found at a Valley Road home on Wednesday and reported about 2:50 p.m. The home was an unoccupied, abandoned house about 400 feet from the road on a wooded, 10-acre property. The house reportedly was scheduled to be demolished later this week, Jackson Capt. Steven Laskiewicz said.

The windows of the house had all been broken and that there were swastikas spray-painted on the exterior of the residence along with the word, "Hitler." Upon entering the house, extensive damage was discovered including all windows being broken and damage to the sheetrock walls.

Inside, there were multiple areas where profanity was spray-painted on the walls along with additional derogatory remarks directed toward those of the Jewish faith and African-Americans, Laskiewicz said.

Photos showing the extensive graffiti and damage were published by the Lakewood Scoop. The photos show furniture still in the home, including a television with a swastika spraypainted on it. A stool hanging upside down appears to have been left after it was used to smash a window, and there are multiple swastikas and "Go home" comments, including one using a slur directed at Jews.

There was a second abandoned structure on the property that was not affected, Laskiewicz said.

Authorities believe the vandalism happened between April 19 and April 30. During a neighborhood canvass, a resident told police of hearing a noise in the area the previous evening, but did not call at the time to report it.

Jackson police are making additional patrols in the area and the incident is being investigated by Jackson Police Detective John Rodriguez.

There are no suspects to this incident at this time and anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at 732-928-1111.

Note: This article has been updated to include further details of the damage in the home.

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