'We Will Not Rest In Our Pursuit," Yardley Mayor Tells Racist Vandals

YARDLEY BOROUGH, PA — The borough's top officials are reacting to a racism and vandalism incident at the Yardley Country Club last week.

The Yardley Borough Police Department is investigating an incident in which portions of the golf course greens were intentionally damaged with racial slurs and Swastika symbols carved into the turf.

"Acts of hatred, intolerance, and vandalism are wholly inconsistent with the values of our community," Yardley Borough Council President David Appelbaum told Patch.

"To those responsible, I look you directly in the eyes when I tell you this: Your cowardly act of antisemitic hatred is an attack not only on our Jewish neighbors, but on the values of our entire community," Mayor Caroline Thompson said. "You do not get to bring your hatred into our borough, intimidate our residents, and disappear into the night. We will not rest in our pursuit of you."

Both officials said they have the utmost confidence in the Yardley Borough Police Department identifying and arresting those responsible for the vandalism.

"We have full confidence in our police department as they conduct a thorough investigation, and we remain committed to ensuring that all residents and visitors feel safe, welcome, and respected in Yardley," Appelbaum said.

Thompson said that while the investigation is ongoing, she takes comfort in knowing that Yardley Police are leading the investigation.

Thompson said that Police Officer Alex Bires, the responding officer, is a "skilled and meticulous investigator."

"Someone entered our borough under the cloak of night, believing their actions would go undetected," Thompson said. "Oh, how wrong they were. What they underestimated is the department tasked with finding them. Our police officers have solved complex and heinous crimes that went unsolved in other municipalities, and I have every confidence in their ability to investigate this case with the same determination."

Anyone with information about the incident should call the Yardley Borough Police Department at 215-493-2482.

"Yardley Borough has long been a welcoming and peaceful town, rooted in a tradition of respect, civility, and inclusion. Incidents of this nature are deeply troubling and do not reflect the character of our residents or our community," Appelbaum said.