Headstones found defaced, some with swastikas, at Jewish cemetery in Waukegan
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (CBS) -- Police on Monday found numerous headstones had been vandalized at a Jewish cemetery in Waukegan – and some were spray-painted with swastikas.
Around 8 a.m. Monday, Waukegan police were called to Am Echod Jewish Cemetery, at 3050 Grand Ave. in the Northern Illinois city, for reports of criminal damage. Upon arriving, officers found numerous headstones had been vandalized.
Police said a total of 16 headstones were found defaced with red spray-painted swastikas - symbols of Nazi Germany during World War II and the Holocaust.
On one tombstone, a vandal wrote, "Kanye was rite." This comes after Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, has made headlines in recent weeks for anti-Semitic remarks.
Another 23 headstones were defaced with non-specific red spray-paint graffiti, police said.
"I am deeply disturbed and angered by the hateful imagery found spray-painted on headstones this morning in Am Echod Jewish Cemetery. Hate does not have a home in Waukegan; when such incidents occur, our marginalized neighbors are victimized, and our entire community suffers," Waukegan Mayor Ann B. Taylor said in a news release. "I hope our officers promptly locate the perpetrators of this despicable act and hold them accountable, and I offer my full support to those directly impacted by this vandalism."
Ben Lovinger, whose family is buried at the cemetery, came by Tuesday morning to take a look for himself. He said his grandparents are buried at the cemetery, and while their headstones were not vandalized, he said it hurts to see something like this.
"Obviously, it's targeted. You know, it's just, why?" he said. "It's a defenseless crime, you know. You've proved, really, nothing outside of your cowardness. So, yeah, it's a shame. It's just sad."
The Waukegan Police Criminal Investigation Division is investigating, and the case remains open and active. Anyone with information is asked to call the Waukegan Police Tip Line at (847) 360-9001.