Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, October 4, 2007

More swastikas hit Mill Creek

Although police believe a Nazi symbol drawn on an empty home is an isolated incident, it is the third such occurrence since Sept. 16.

By Jackson Holtz
Herald Writer

 MILL CREEK -- Mill Creek police are investigating a swastika reported Sunday drawn onto an abandoned Mill Creek home. This is the third time since Sept. 16 that swastikas have been spray-painted or drawn onto Snohomish County properties.

Police believe the blue swastika drawn onto the home in the 15500 block of 27th Drive SE is an isolated incident, Mill Creek police spokesman Steve Winters said.

The owners do not live in the home, are not Jewish and have not contacted police since officers left a business card in the door of the home Sunday, Winters said.

Still, police want to apprehend whoever is responsible, he said.

"Certainly we're not going to be tolerating this kind of behavior," Winters said. "It's mean-spirited and affects the entire community."

Last week, a racial slur and a swastika were spray-painted onto an Arlington home. The week of Sept. 16, two vehicles belonging to a Mill Creek Jewish family were vandalized with backward swastikas and the words, "I eat Jews."

Another swastika in Mill Creek is unsettling, said Anna, a member of the Mill Creek family whose vehicles were damaged. She asked that her last name not be published out of concern for her safety.

"I'm really upset, to tell you the truth, that it's happening yet again," she said. "I'm just hoping it stops. It's unacceptable, it's completely unacceptable and very hurtful to the community."

Police have made no arrests in the Arlington or Mill Creek cases.

"This is one of those cases where we really need the public's help," Arlington police spokeswoman Kristen Banfield said.

In all three cases, police are asking for anyone who saw or heard anything to call them.

Finding the suspect likely will require a witness to come forward to volunteer information, Winters said.

The swastika became a symbol of anti-Semitism during Nazi Germany, when millions of Jews were killed in concentration camps, said Rabbi Yossi Mandel of the Chabad Jewish Center of Snohomish County.

"Perhaps it's time for education so that a new generation understands what swastikas mean," he said.

Symbols of hate affect everyone, the rabbi said.

On Friday, religious leaders from around the county met in solidarity to stand against the vandalism, Bates said. They are reaching out to the victims and plan to meet again next week.

"In addition to educating and equipping, the community must remained wide-eyed," Bates said. "We don't sweep what is embarrassing under the bed hoping that it will go away or that it's childish antics."



Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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