Teen charged with drawing swastika

Self-described 'stupid' act draws felony charge

MONROE — Village Police have charged a 19-year-old Monroe man with aggravated harassment and making graffiti after police said he used baby oil to draw a swastika on the sidewalk along the Millpond walkway in the center of downtown. Police learned of the incident just after 11 on Wednesday evening, July 25, when they received reports of the swastika. Officers responded and interviewed the callers, who were residents of Kiryas Joel. The officers discovered that the swastika was made out of some sort of oil, similar to a vegetable oil. A group of five men was nearby and the callers advised that one of them had drawn the swastika. Police said officers searched the men and found a 20-ounce bottle of baby oil in one of the men's backpacks. Police said the man, identified as a 19-year-old resident of Monroe, admitted that he drew the swastika, saying that he was just being stupid with friends and adding that he didn't mean anything by it. He was charged with first-degree Aggravated Harassment, a felony, and making graffiti, a misdemeanor. He was released pending future court action. “The Millpond Park and walkway are used by many people at all hours of the day and night, and we have very few incidents of this type in that area,” Monroe Police Det. James Frankild said in the press release detailing the incident. “While the man arrested may not have meant anything by it, like he told the investigating officers, the swastika has a strong meaning to many people, and we take these types of incidents very seriously, as do New York State lawmakers, which is why New York State law classifies the drawing of a swastika on any public place a felony.” Police said the swastika was immediately removed from the sidewalk.

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