Crime & Safety
Swastikas Sprayed On Jewish Community Center In Annandale (Video)
Police released surveillance footage of a person spray painting the building Saturday.
ANNANDALE, VA—Fairfax County Police are investigating hate graffiti that appeared at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia in Annandale Saturday, Oct. 6.
Staff reported the swastikas on the building exterior around 8 a.m. Surveillance footage caught a person spray painting the building around 4:30 a.m. Police have released the video to the public.
The JCC said in a statement it is working to remove the graffiti. Fairfax County Police are collecting evidence and trying to identify the suspect. Charges are expected once police make an arrest.
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"As many of us recognize, these acts do not represent the community around the J or the community of Northern Virginia," reads the statement. "As we also know, our neighboring churches also have suffered recent vandalism. The J as a whole, and particularly through the focused efforts of our Committee for a Just and Caring Community, will continue to participate as a positive force in both the Jewish and wider communities.
Fairfax County and state leaders reacted to the hate graffiti in social media posts.
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This is the Fairfax Jewish Community Center this morning. An insidious rise in hateful actions and anti-Semitism is happening in Virginia and across the country. We must meet it with fierce condemnation and an over-abundance of love and unity. We cannot allow hate to fester. pic.twitter.com/85bW2Hl0th
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) October 6, 2018
Saddened and disgusted by what happened at the Jewish Community Center. Our diversity is what makes us great. Fairfax County will not tolerate hate. https://t.co/utXOcsuOn0
— Jeff McKay (@JeffreyCMcKay) October 6, 2018
Removing hateful graffiti from the Jewish Community Center. pic.twitter.com/VXpaAlPQuQ
— Sharon Bulova (@SharonBulova) October 6, 2018
Stopped by @JCCofNoVA to show my support. This despicable and cowardly act of hate has no place in our community or anywhere else.
— Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) October 6, 2018
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mason District Police Station at 703-256-8035 or submit a tip online through Crime Solvers.
Below is the full statement from the JCC.
Image via Fairfax County Police
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