HOWELL – Police are seeking the individuals responsible for spray painting swastikas at Echo Lake Park on Maxim-Southard Road, Howell.
In a press release issued on Aug. 29, police said they learned of the vandalism that day when an individual reported that swastikas – recognized as a symbol of Nazi Germany – had been spray painted at the park. The individual provided photographs of the vandalism.
Officers assigned to the Howell Police Department Detective Bureau responded to Echo Lake Park and found nine swastikas spray painted in white on the horseshoe pit backboards and on benches.
The horseshoe pits are about 300 feet from the road and the parking lot, making the vandalism partially visible, but hard to distinguish from the road and the parking lot. Police said there was also random, non-distinct spray painting on the floor of a gazebo at the park.
Police said it appeared the vandalism had occurred sometime during the week prior to its discovery. Howell Department of Public Works employees painted over the vandalized areas on the day the incident was reported.
In the press release, Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick said the police department takes matters such as this very seriously and said a thorough investigation is underway.
Police are asking for the public’s assistance in helping to identify the individuals responsible for the vandalism at Echo Lake Park. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez at 732-938-4575, ext. 2883, or via email at cantunez@howellpolice.org
