Swastikas Found On Lawn Prompt Stoneham Police Investigation

STONEHAM, MA — A series of paper swastikas found on a lawn in Stoneham have prompted a police investigation, Stoneham Police announced on Tuesday.

Officers responded to a home on Whittemore Lane in town on Tuesday morning after police said a resident found pieces of paper cut into the shape of swastikas on their property.

The swastikas had additional hateful language written on them, according to police.

Stoneham Police said detectives are running an “aggressive” investigation into this incident. Police added that they do not believe the incident was random.

“There is no place for this kind of hate and bigotry in our community,” Stoneham Police Chief James McIntyre said separately in his department’s statement. “Our detectives are committed to a full and thorough investigation, including any possible criminal charges against the party responsible.”

Individuals with information on this incident can contact Stoneham Police detectives at 781-438-1215.

McIntyre has been in touch with the Anti-Defamation League of New England, police said on Tuesday.

The Anti-Defamation League has raised concerns about the rate of antisemitic incidents both in New England and across the country in recent months and years.

A report in April from the league's New England branch documented a 42% increase in such incidents in 2021. The total of 155 listed incidents rose to its highest year-by-year total in 2021 since 2018, according to Anti-Defamation League data.

The league has separately noted national data that showed antisemitic incidents taking place in record numbers in 2021.

“The alarming increase in antisemitic incidents in the region and across the country should be deeply concerning to all,” Anti-Defamation League New England Regional Director Robert Trestan said in a statement shared with the league's data release.