Forest Hills Faces More Reports Of Anti-Semitic Graffiti

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — After two spraypainted swastikas were reported in Forest Hills and Rego park earlier this week, the Queens Borough Safety Patrol reported four similar incidents of anti-Semitic graffiti as of Thursday.

The group, also known as Queens Shmira, said that anti-Semitic illustrations and hate speech were found graffitied at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills, on Austin Street, near 64th St., and the Lynn Gross Discovery School on 102nd St.

“We make it our duty and effort to respond and connect to proper authorities,” Abraham Pinkhaso, a coordinator with the safety patrol, told Patch. “We take every person’s call regardless of race and ethnicity.”

The last report was received on Thursday about 9:30 a.m. regarding anti-Semtic hate speech displayed at the school.

The patrol, a non-profit and volunteer-run program, works directly with the 112th Precinct when incidents are reported. The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the graffitis.

The incidents come after two swastikas were reported at Stephen A. Halsey JHS 157 in Rego Park and at 110-11 Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills on Tuesday.

“Our local leaders and fellow neighbors will never become complacent in the face of such vile acts of hate,” reads a joint statement by Rep. Grace Meng, Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, Council Member Lynn Schulman, and Senators Leroy Comrie and Joe Addabbo.