Police: Swastika found in bathroom at Albert Leonard Middle School

A swastika was once again found at Albert Leonard Middle School in New Rochelle Friday.

News 12 Staff

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Mar 30, 2019, 12:19 AM

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Updated 1,863 days ago

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A swastika was once again found at Albert Leonard Middle School in New Rochelle Friday.

Police say the swastika was discovered on the wall of a first-floor bathroom etched in blue ink.

Authorities tell News 12 it does not rise to the level of a hate crime, but the discovery of the 2-inch swastika is taken seriously.

There have been five previous incidents like this at the middle school this year and alumni of the school say it's frustrating.

"Kids that do that, they don't think about the affect it has on other people," says Chelsea Ovalle, whose siblings are still students at the school.

Police say a swastika was also found at nearby Isaac E. Young Middle School Monday.

The President of Beth El Synagogue in New Rochelle told News 12 in a statement that read in part: "We're heartbroken and angry to hear of this latest incident and that these terrible displays of antisemitism have been recurring in our community...we hope that all parents use this as an opportunity to speak to their children about the pain and horrors inflicted on the Jewish community as antisemitism."

A spokesperson told News 12 they are no longer publicly discussing incidents like these to avoid copycats, but are following protocol and cooperating with police.