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The New Castle Police Department announced that a $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of a suspect following recent incidents of hate.
New York State Sen. Pete Harckham said that there has been racist and anti-Semitic graffiti at the Chappaqua train station, plus the theft of Black Lives Matter signs at the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco on Route 133 and a BLM banner at the First Congregational Church.
“Solving these crimes and ensuring public safety is of paramount importance to us,” police said. “We want to bring justice to all that are affected by these acts and hope the reward money will provide an incentive for anyone with information to come forward.”
Last week, New Castle officials said that a resident who was bicycling with his children in the train station parking lot and found antisemitic and racist graffiti.
Specifically, the resident reported that the words “Ann Frank should have worn a TAC mask,” were written in sidewalk chalk on the pavement in the location of the former skate park in the rear parking lot.
In addition, the word “Nigeria” and a penis were drawn in chalk in the same area. The New Castle Police Department responded to the call and the Department of Public Works removed the graffiti.
In a separate incident, the police responded to a report of Black Lives Matter signs being stolen from the property belonging to The Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco located in New Castle on Route 133.
That came following the theft of the BLM banner from the First Congregational Church.
“Let us be clear: these are horrific acts of hate, and they will not be tolerated by the Town of New Castle,” officials said. “While it pains us to continue to report on these hate crimes, and we fear giving them oxygen, we will not allow antisemitic and racist incidents in our community to be swept under the rug or covered up.
“The Town of New Castle is committed to transparency and action.“
Harckham said that he “strongly condemns these hate-inspired actions in the Town of New Castle. It is truly sad and regrettable that incidents as such continue to plague this community. We must all work together to ensure that a greater spirit of tolerance and respect becomes the norm in our society.””
Police said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the incidents has been asked to contact the New Castle Police Department by calling (914) 238-4422 or texting 888-777 with the tip starting with “TIPNC911.”
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