Cops: Swastikas found at Easton school

EASTON — Local police and school staff investigated after several swastikas were found drawn in chalk behind an Easton elementary school, police said.

On Thursday, school officials at Samuel Staples Elementary School discovered the swastikas, which were written in chalk on the asphalt in an area by the rear of the building, police said.

The school resource officer and the school staff conducted an investigation into the incident, police said, and the responsible individual was identified through investigative resources the next day.

A Hate and Bias Form was completed and filed with the state by the Easton Police Department, Police Chief Richard Doyle said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Officials at Staples Elementary School and the Easton school superintendent’s office will be in charge of the follow- up investigation, Doyle said.

“It is important that everyone understands that this symbol is a despicable reminder of hate, bias and has no place in our community, which prides itself on being a welcoming, inclusive, and kind community,” Doyle said in a statement.

There have been other reports of anti- Semitic graffiti in Connecticut. The University of Connecticut said a swastika was found spray- painted on the side of the chemistry building at the Storrs campus on March 27, the first day of Passover. A few days later, another swastika was found spray- painted on the Philip E. Austin Building on campus, officials said.

“The UConn community has witnessed a disturbing increase in anti- Semitic incidents this academic year,” the university’s chapter of Hillel, a Jewish organization, said in a statement. “Our campus Jewish community is experiencing outrage, sadness and fear as we respond to these hateful acts.”

“UConn Police documented the graffiti in both cases and are actively investigating,” a university spokesperson said.