New York, NY, May 4, 2014 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today praised the New York City Police Department for the arrest of an individual alleged to have vandalized multiple locations in the Borough Park, Brooklyn neighborhood with anti-Semitic graffiti on Saturday, May 3.

Former NYPD officer Michael Setiawan, 36, has been charged with criminal mischief as a hate crime, aggravated harassment as a hate crime and criminal mischief. The graffiti included anti-Semitic slurs spray painted on over a dozen locations including a Jewish girls school.

Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement:

 We applaud the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force for their swift and diligent investigation of this hateful crime. The expeditious arrest and charges send a clear message that crimes like this are not tolerated in our community, and that perpetrators of these crimes will face serious and immediate consequences for their actions. It is distressing that a person once sworn to protect could do something like this.

 Unfortunately, while we have seen an overall decrease in the number of anti-Semitic incidents in our city over the past few years, Jewish New Yorkers and Jewish institutions are still being targeted and such acts are vivid reminders that we must remain vigilant in our response.

 We commend the various public figures, including Council members David Greenfield, Brad Lander, and Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, for their strong condemnations and steadfast work in combating hate in our communities.

 According to ADL’s annual audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, New York City experienced a total of 133 incidents in 2013, including acts of assault, harassment and vandalism, compared to 172 incidents in 2012.

 

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter @ADL_NY