Civil Rights unit, Port City police probe spray-painted swastikas

CONCORD - The Attorney Generals Office Formella announced on Tuesday that the New Hampshire Department of Justice Civil Rights Unit and the Portsmouth Police Department, along with our County, State, and Federal law enforcement partners are actively working to investigate at least 10 instances of Swastikas and other messages being drawn on properties around Portsmouth with red spray paint, including on a Jewish Synagogue, around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning in the downtown area.

"This type of hateful and threatening criminal activity, motivated by racial or religious intolerance, particularly at places of worship, has no place in New Hampshire and will not be tolerated," said Attorney General John M. Formella. "We will work to find and prosecute whoever is responsible, to the fullest extent of the law. The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office along with our local, State and Federal law enforcement partners encourage anyone with information to come forward. Our communities are safer and stronger when we all join together and have zero tolerance for violence motivated by hatred for our fellow citizens whether based on race, creed, or other protected characteristics."

Investigators are looking for assistance from the residents and businesses of the downtown area, particularly with video surveillance that might capture whoever is responsible during this time period. The activity appears to be largely confined to the portion of the downtown laying between Deer Street, Middle Street, and Court Street, with additional instances on Marcy Street.

Anyone with any further information is asked to call Portsmouth Police Detective Sergeant McCarthy at 603-616-7656, or remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 431-1199 or 1-207-439-1199, or their website, www.seacoastcrimestoppers.org