Antisemitic graffiti found at Commack HS, Smithtown HS East
Antisemitic and racist graffiti was found etched on a stall in the boy's bathroom Tuesday at Commack High School, police say.
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More symbols of hate have been found in two Suffolk County schools.
The symbols were found earlier this week in Commack High School and Smithtown High School East.
Antisemitic and racist graffiti was found etched on a stall in the boy's bathroom Tuesday at Commack High School, police say. The graffiti was etched and drawn in black marker.
The discovery comes barely a week after a swastika was found in a separate bathroom stall at the same high school.
In response to the incidents, the superintendent says the district will implement a new plan to combat antisemitism. It includes a visit from a Holocaust survivor, a Suffolk County detective talking with students about the consequences of hate crimes and a visit to a Holocaust museum.
Antisemitic graffiti was also found on a student's desk at Smithtown High School East. Suffolk County police are investigating that incident.
Superintendent of Smithtown schools Mark Secaur sent a letter to parents saying, "This news is greatly upsetting, but it is important for our school community to be made aware of such incidents and work collaboratively to oppose hate whenever it occurs. Antisemitism has no place in our schools or community and will not be tolerated."
Parents of Smithtown High School East students like Read Smith think measures the Commack School District is taking to combat antisemitism would be beneficial to the Smithtown schools community.
Smith said, "I think it would be great. They need to be educated. It's out of ignorance. Children don't know what happened to Jews in World War II. They don't understand."
