In the third such incident this week on Long Island, a 10-foot noose made of electric wiring was found Thursday afternoon on the front door of a store under renovation at the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream. A construction supervisor told News 12 Long Island off-camera that the noose appeared on the door when workers returned from a coffee break.

Nooses were found earlier this week at Nassau County highway department yards in Roosevelt and Hempstead, and another was placed inside the Hempstead Police Department last month. Two additional noose incidents, one at Columbia University and another near ground zero, occurred in Manhattan earlier this month.

Police said the recent crimes could be of the "copycat" variety because of the media attention.

"But nevertheless, we are investigating every instance that comes our way because we really need to see if they're being directed at an individual or a group of people," Det. Lt. Kevin Smith said.

Hanging a noose is not a felony under state law like cross-burning or painting a swastika, other symbols of hate. The NAACP said it would like Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice to become more involved.

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