Swampscott Antisemitic Hate Incident Condemned, Investigated: Police

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott police are condemning and investigating what they said was a hate incident involving a "We Stand With Israel" sign found defaced with antisemitic graffiti on Paradise Road Tuesday morning.

Police said the resident who owned the property found the sign vandalized on Tuesday morning in the area of the street near the water tower and that it is believed the defacing happened either Monday night or early Tuesday.

"As we actively investigate this incident, we will continue to focus on the safety and security of all in Swampscott," police said. "We join with the community to unequivocally condemn this act of hate."

Police said they have been in contact with the Essex County District Attorney's Office and the Anti-Defamation League, fellow law enforcement and community leaders throughout the day on Tuesday about the incident.

Police ask that anyone in the area who owns a security camera check the footage from between 4 p.m. on Monday and 8 a.m. on Tuesday for anything that could help police identify who is responsible for the vandalism.

Anyone else with information about the crime is urged to contact Swampscott police at 781-595-1111.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)