3 Teens Arrested After Allegedly Spray Painting Racist, Anti-Semitic Messages In Weston Community
UPDATE – 11/30/22
Detectives with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Weston District, with assistance from BSO’s Threat Management Unit (TMU) team, have arrested three juvenile males in connection with several incidents of racist and antisemitic messages spray-painted in the Weston Hills Community.
According to investigators, the first incident reportedly occurred in the morning hours on Oct. 5, a day of celebration for Yom Kippur, the most solemn of Jewish religious holidays. Several antisemitic and hate messages were spray-painted inside and outside the bathrooms on the golf course at Weston Hills. Additionally, that same day additional hate messages were found spray-painted on the children’s playground at Hunters Pointe Park in Weston.
A second incident was reported on Tuesday, Oct. 25, when hate slurs and antisemitic messages were found again spray-painted on the walls of the golf course bathrooms.
At approximately 8:26 a.m., on Sunday, Oct. 30, BSO district deputies responded to a call reporting yet another incident of racist and antisemitic messages spray-painted at Hunters Pointe Park and along the entrance of Hunters Pointe subdivision located at 2372 Quail Roost Drive in Weston.
BSO district detectives continued actively investigating these incidents and were able to locate and identify three juvenile males as the subjects responsible for these crimes. All three subjects were arrested and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center for processing. Two juveniles face three counts of criminal mischief, two counts of burglary structure and one count of public order crime prejudice, which is a hate crime enhancement. The third juvenile faces two counts of criminal mischief and burglary structure.
At this time, there are no additional outstanding subjects involved in these incidents. BSO does not tolerate any act of antisemitism or any form of hate and prejudice.
UPDATE – 10/30/22
Sheriff Gregory Tony issued the following statement late on Sunday night in response to the vandalism incident at Hunters Pointe:
“Antisemitic and racist intimidation will not be tolerated in our community. Such acts constitute a hate crime and are a reminder of a dark period in history when both Blacks and Jews were viciously assaulted and murdered without just cause.
Like my Jewish brothers and sisters, I recall the deep pain and hardship of my ancestors, and I will continue to defend all our residents’ lives, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
Broward County is one of the most diverse counties in the state, and we are proud of every segment that makes us unique.
Those individuals who wish to threaten, cause harm or evoke fear in our community will be arrested and charged to the letter of the law. Only cowards seek to intimate under the cloak of darkness. We [Broward County] will not fear darkness or the shadows lurking from within,” Sheriff Gregory Tony said.
Originally reported by Boca Post
WESTON, FL – Boca Post (BocaPost.com) — Broward Sheriff’s Office is investigating vandalism in Hunters Pointe where someone spray-painted racist and anti-semitic messages at the park and on the entrance.
BSO tells us that at approximately 8:26 a.m. deputies responded to a call reporting racist and antisemitic messages spray-painted at Hunters Pointe Park along with the entrance to Hunters Pointe subdivision located at 2372 Quail Roost Drive in Weston.
BSO Weston District deputies quickly responded and canvassed the area in search of the subjects responsible. BSO district detectives are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident. The Broward Sheriff’s Office does not tolerate any act of antisemitism or any form of hate and prejudice.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 954-471-TIPS.
