Published on March 10, 2016

Recent Bias Crime in Cedarhurst

Updated: March 21, 2016

Nassau County Police Department, 4th Precinct, informed the Village of Cedarhurst this morning that a 17 year old High School student was arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Harassment, for drawing two swastikas on the sidewalk of two homes in Cedarhurst.

The Police believe that this is a crime of opportunity rather than motivated by Anti-Semitism.

We commend Inspector Lee Steinberg and his officers for quickly apprehending the subject.


There have been 2 separate, but related, shocking hate crime incidents in our Village. Swastikas were drawn in chalk on sidewalks in front of two homes in the past 48 hours.

Mayor Weinstock has spoken with the Commanding Officer of the Fourth Precinct, Inspector Lee Steinberg.   The full resources of the Nassau County Police Department, including the Bias Crimes Unit and the Fourth Detective Squad, are investigating the crime.

So far, the Police believe that a group of youths are responsible for both incidents.  They also believe that these are crimes of opportunity rather than planned bias attacks.  Both Swastikas were drawn backwards and the chalk that was used was taken from a nearby house.  The police assured Mayor Weinstock that they are nevertheless taking the incidents very seriously and if caught, they will prosecute the perpetrators with hate crimes.

Anyone having video surveillance images or other information is urged to call the Fourth Precinct at (516) 573-6400.