Noose Apparently Found At American Dream Meadowlands, Gov. Says

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — New Jersey State Police are investigating a noose that was allegedly found at the American Dream Meadowlands site in East Rutherford, a finding that Gov. Phil Murphy is calling a "hate crime."

State Police were contacted about "a rope tied into a noose" a worker at the site discovered Tuesday, said Sgt. Laurence Peele.

The photo was first published by ABC7 News Anchor Bill Ritter on Twitter who said the noose was found at the American Dream construction site.

Peele said State Police are investigating. He would not confirm that the photo Ritter shared had anything to do with the incident.

"If it turns out to be true, it's despicable and completely and utterly unacceptable," Murphy said in a press conference in Paterson about historic preservation tax credits. "Hate crime has no place in this state, in this country. And if that is the case, I am sure that law enforcement, beginning with the attorney general, will pursue this to the fullest extent of the law. That sort of stuff has no place in the great state of New Jersey."

A New Jersey State Police and American Dream Meadowlands spokespersons could not immediately be reached for comment.

Most of the $5 billion American Dream Meadowlands shopping and entertainment destination is slated to open this spring.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: American Dream Meadowlands under construction in East Rutherford. (Courtesy of Triple Five Worldwide)