The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating a case of aggravated harassment on the St. John’s University campus in Hillcrest at 80-00 Utopia Parkway last month.
Police from the 107th Precinct in Fresh Meadows reported that two unidentified men drew two swastikas in the snow in front of Newman Hall, the administrative building formerly known as Perboye Hall, at around 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24.
“The NYPD is investigating this incident as a hate crime, in which individuals who are not believed to be St. John’s University students entered the campus and drew two Swastikas in the snow,” SJU spokesperson Brian Browne said. “St. John’s condemns antisemitism and continues to engage with members of the campus community on our ongoing efforts to prevent and address all forms of discrimination.”
No injuries were reported.
The NYPD released video surveillance of the two suspects walking eastbound on Union Turnpike on Monday and described them as having medium complexions and approximately 18 to 20 years of age. One wore a black bubble jacket over a black hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and black sneakers. The second suspect wore a black jacket, black jeans, and white and black sneakers.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are confidential.
Through Feb. 2, the 107th Precinct has reported two hate crimes so far in 2025 after no hate crimes were reported at the same point last year, an increase of 100%, according to the latest CompStat report.
