Swastikas Found On New York Public Train: Long Island Railroad Finds Anti-Semitic Message

Swastikas have been appearing in Long Island Railroad stations in recent weeks, prompting complaints about the anti-Semitic symbol from commuters who rely on the New York public train.

One Twitter user, Jake Adler tweeted directly at the transit company Monday, addressing a swastika that was carved into one of the seats in a particular cart. The man tweeted that the sight of the symbol “goes way beyond poor service.” The following day Adler tweeted, “@LIRR good morning just curious how many riders will see a swastika today in car 7170 since y'all clearly don't seem to mind.”

The LIRR tweeted back: “We take these matters very seriously and have reported the car for immediate servicing. TY for bringing this to our attn.”

Earlier this month, police arrested two teenagers who were spray painting red swastikas at the Long Beach station. An officer came across the symbol and graffiti while responding to a narcotics complaint. The tag “KLEEZY” was also left on the station’s footbridge and in a stairwell.

“Whether on public or private property, the city of Long Beach has zero-tolerance for vandalism and graffiti, especially defacement with symbols of hate and vulgarity,” City Council President Len Torres told reporters.

The LIRR transports about 265,000 customers each weekday on 735 daily trains across 700 miles of track. There are more than 1 million people who identify as Jewish in the New York City area.

Anti-Semitic incidents in the United States were up 21 percent in 2014, with 912 reported anti-Semitic incidents, according to the Anti-Defamation League.