Chairman of Rockland County Legislature Wants Bipartisan Commission Investigation of Pearl River Hate Crimes

The Chairman of the Rockland County Legislature, Alden H. Wolfe, said he has expressed “shock and disappointment” over the recent hate crimes in Pearl River, according to Jewish Political News.

Last week Patch reported two separate incidents of vandalism in Pearl River. The first incident occurred on July 27. Cars were spray-painted with racial epithets and tires were slashed on Lincoln Ave. in Pearl River. The second incident happened over the weekend of August 2-3 when a farmer’s greenhouses were covered with racial slurs and graffiti. Vandals tore down a flag pole, trampled an American flag, released the farmer’s blind bunny and covered his greenhouses with swastikas and racist slogans.

The owner of the farm, Jim Van Houten, told CBS 880 News, “I’m assuming they’re young kids, misguided, not knowing what they are doing, not very smart about things. I can’t comprehend getting enjoyment out of destruction.”

Chairman of the Rockland County Legislature, Alden H. Wolfe said in a statement, “We must stand together against these and all acts of hatred. Rockland County has always been a place that embraces diversity. It must be crystal clear that our County has no tolerance for racism and anti-Semitism, because people who hate don’t differentiate between race or religion. They just hate.”

Wolfe said he would like a bipartisan commission to examine these crimes and find out why they are on the rise. He said he hopes the Rockland County Executive will join with the Legislature in their efforts.

The New York Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League, Evan Bernstein, told News 12, ”The best way for us [ADL] to help, is to get into the school systems and synagogues and train people on how to respond to anti-Semitism and hate,”

Orangetown Police are investigating whether the two separate hate crimes are related and are asking anyone with information on either incident to call them at (845) 359-3700.