Swastika vandalism at LIRR station sparks concern, push for surveillance
Lawrence Mayor Samuel Nahmias says the incident highlights an ongoing concern in the village and underscores the need for increased security measures.
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A recent act of vandalism in Lawrence is raising alarm among residents, after a swastika was scratched into a window at the Inwood train station on the Lawrence side.
Lawrence Mayor Samuel Nahmias says the symbol is widely recognized as a representation of genocide and has left many in the community disturbed.
“It’s disgusting, it’s horrible, it’s just malicious,” said Charles Small, a Lawrence resident.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department said it is investigating the incident.
“There are people who come here who want to terrorize the community,” said resident Shoshana Halpern. “They’re putting these swastikas up, it’s not OK.”
Nahmias said the incident highlights an ongoing concern in the village and underscores the need for increased security measures.
The mayor and village board are moving forward with plans to install 160 surveillance cameras and license plate readers throughout Lawrence, including at the train station.
Nahmias said the technology will allow police to identify suspects more quickly.
“It helps the police ultimately catch these perpetrators in a much faster fashion,” he said.
Addressing privacy concerns, the mayor said access to the system will be limited.
“Only the police and village officials will have access to the cameras,” Nahmias said. “Ultimately, all of this information will be deleted probably within 30 days.”
Residents say they support the effort to increase surveillance.
“I hope they do it, I hope it’s successful,” Small said.
Halpern added that the location of the vandalism hits close to home.
“It was on the train station, and if you walk down the block that’s my block,” she said. “So it’s very important to me that the mayor puts up the cameras over there.”
