Westfield Police Investigate Swastika At Park

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield police noted in a press release Tuesday that among their reports last week, they were called to respond to a "bias incident" at Tamaques Park. When they arrived, they found a swastika.

Police responded last Wednesday at 9:17 a.m. to an incident of criminal mischief at the park, they said. Police said they observed a "Swastika drawn on a sign in the park on a trail. There were other drawings on other signs causing damage."

A report released by the FBI at the end of last year detailed hate crimes in 172 towns in New Jersey through 2018. The state attorney general's office said later that hate crimes are on the rise in the state.

The state is running a session Wednesday to help police, faith based leaders, and other officials with their response to bias crimes, in the wake of the death of George Floyd.

Here are other Westfield police items for last week:

A resident of the 500 block of Tremont Ave. reported to police on Nov. 8 that his bicycle was stolen from his unlocked, detatched garage. The resident said the bike was valued at only $25. He said the theft occurred between Oct. 25 and Nov. 7.

A resident of the 500 block of Saint Marks Avenue reported Wednesday that their property was burglarized. The resident said someone removed a bicycle from a detatched garage, but then left it on the property. There was no damage to the garage and no thefts.

A resident of the same block reported the next day that someone entered their detached garage and made off with two bicycles. The person said the garage was likely unlocked.

See also: Westfield Police Report Puppy Scam.

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