Brooklyn ex-cop arrested for creating anti-Semitic graffiti
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
A former New York City policeman was arrested for tagging a number of buildings with anti-Semitic slurs and profanities.
Michael Setiawan was arrested after residents of Brooklyn's Borough Park neighborhood reported seeing swastikas sprayed around the area. The graffiti was found on 15 buildings and four vehicles near the Bnos Zion synagogue. The synagogue's elementary school also bore the tags. He now faces "charges of criminal mischief and aggravated harassment as hate crimes," according to Time.
Setiawan lives in Queens with his father, who told authorities that his son had become depressed and suicidal after leaving the police force. He does not yet have a lawyer for his arraignment.
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"This was not a victimless crime," said state Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who represents the area. "We have many Holocaust survivors here... hate attacks on our community will not go unpunished."
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Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.
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