Overview
- A large public menorah in Travers Park on 76th Street between Northern Boulevard and 34th Avenue was sprayed with expanding foam on its center support early Sunday, one day before the scheduled Hanukkah lighting.
- Officers from the NYPD’s 115th Precinct responded shortly after midnight to a criminal mischief report from a 33-year-old reporting victim, and no arrests have been announced.
- The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the vandalism as a potential hate crime.
- Local residents and a Jackson Heights beautification group removed the foam, allowing the first-night lighting to proceed despite freezing conditions.
- District leader Hiram Monserrate scheduled a 1:30 p.m. Wednesday rally at Travers Park to urge the DOJ Civil Rights Division to review recurring antisemitic incidents, including swastikas and “Heil Hitler” graffiti reported near area parks and the Jewish center.