Brooklyn Teens Arrested for Painting Swastikas at Jewish Area Playground
In a disturbing incident amid New York's ongoing antisemitic crisis, two Brooklyn teenagers were arrested on Thursday for vandalizing a playground in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood with more than 50 swastikas. The 15-year-olds now face serious legal consequences, with both charged with aggravated harassment, and one additionally charged with criminal mischief as a hate crime, according to the New York Police Department.
Repeated Incidents of Antisemitic Vandalism
This was not an isolated event but part of a pattern of repeated antisemitic acts that prompted a thorough investigation leading to the arrests. The sequence began on Monday when officers responded to a call at Gravesend Park in the southwest Brooklyn neighborhood of Borough Park. Upon arrival just before 7:30 pm, they discovered approximately 16 swastikas painted in red on various surfaces including slides, walls, and the ground.
The situation escalated on Wednesday at 11 am when authorities returned to the same playground following another report. This time, they found 57 swastikas painted in red, blue, and yellow colors. Adding to the offensive nature of the vandalism, the name of the notorious Nazi leader, "Adolf Hitler", was also scrawled in paint at the site.
The Brooklyn Community Board 12, which represents the area, shared photographic evidence of the extensive vandalism on social media platform X. This neighborhood is home to a significant Jewish population, with approximately 46,000 Jewish adults and 50,000 children residing there. According to a 2023 study by the non-profit UJA-Federation of New York, about 45% of households in Borough Park include at least one Jewish person.
Security Concerns in Targeted Neighborhoods
Barry Spitzer, district manager of Community Board District 112, revealed a critical security gap that may have facilitated these repeated incidents. Gravesend Park currently lacks any security cameras, despite repeated requests to the city's Parks Department for surveillance equipment to address various issues including drug use in the park.
However, following this latest incident, Spitzer reported receiving assurances that the Parks Department would implement temporary measures, including sending staff to lock the park at night through the end of the month. He expressed optimism that permanent camera installations would follow soon.
"Some people don't realize the hurt that symbols like this cause," Spitzer told Forward. "I mean, all of us here are descendants of Holocaust survivors. If this becomes normal, then God forbid, much worse things become normal."
Authorities Promise Serious Action Against Hate Crimes
Cases of antisemitic vandalism have been increasing significantly in New York over recent years, with a particularly sharp rise following the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. NYPD data reveals that in 2025 alone, New York City recorded 576 hate crime incidents, with approximately 330 specifically targeting Jewish individuals and institutions.
City officials responded swiftly to the Borough Park incident with strong condemnations and promises of thorough investigation. Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his disgust in an X post, writing: "I am sickened by this antisemitic vandalism in Borough Park. Antisemitism has no place in our city, and I stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish New Yorkers who were targeted."
The mayor confirmed his administration is collaborating closely with the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force and the Parks Department, vowing that "those responsible will be investigated and held accountable."
Governor Kathy Hochul also took to social media, describing the vandalism as "a depraved act of antisemitism" occurring "in a children's playground where our kids should feel safe and have fun." She emphasized that "there is no excuse" and "zero tolerance" for such acts, directing the New York State Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the NYPD with their investigation.
This incident follows a similar pattern of antisemitic attacks in the area. In November 2025, the Magen David Yeshiva in Gravesend, along with a cemetery and Jewish social services organization, were spray-painted with swastikas overnight. Those responsible for that earlier incident remain at large, with arrests yet to be made.
The arrests of these two teenagers represent a significant step in addressing what community leaders describe as a growing pattern of hate crimes targeting Jewish New Yorkers. As investigations continue, authorities emphasize their commitment to prosecuting hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law while community members advocate for enhanced security measures to prevent future incidents.
