Nine swastikas were found Monday in a Howell park frequently visited by members of the Jewish community, police said.
Swastikas were found spray-painted on the backboards, pictured above, and benches near the horseshoe area in Echo Lake Park. (Courtesy of Howell police)HOWELL -- Nine swastikas were spray-painted at a Howell park frequently visited by members of the Jewish community, police said.
Police discovered the swastikas Monday at Echo Lake Park at 1205 Maxim Southard Road after a citizen reported the vandalism and provided a picture to police.
Howell police Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez, the police department's spokesman, said the swastikas were painted in white on wooden backboards and benches in the horseshoes area.
That area is located approximately 300 feet from the roadway and parking lot, Antunez said.
The park is located just north of the border of Lakewood, which is home to a booming population of Orthodox Jews.
Earlier this month, swastikas and other anti-Semitic language were spray-painted at the playground of a Jewish school in Lakewood.
The vandalism found in the Howell park likely occurred sometime last week, Antunez said. The swastikas were painted over by members of the public works department on Monday.
The incident is under investigation by the Howell Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact Antunez by phone at 732-938-4575 ext. 2883 or by email at cantunez@howellpolice.org.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.