Five More Swastikas Found In Williamsburg

Police are searching for a suspect who painted swastikas on several houses in Brooklyn, police officials said.

The discovery of the five swastikas yesterday was the second in a week in predominantly Jewish blocks in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, Council Member Bill de Blasio said.

"I am disgusted that hate crimes such as these have become so prevalent throughout Brooklyn," Mr. de Blasio said in a statement. "It's appalling that in 2008 we are still seeing this type of repulsive behavior. Intolerance, whether it comes to the Jewish community or any other group, is not acceptable."

The swastikas were discovered early yesterday afternoon on Bedford Avenue between Park and Flushing avenues, a spokeswoman for Mr. de Blasio, Jean Weinberg, said.

Community activists and elected officials in Brooklyn have banded together against what they say is an increase in hate crimes throughout the borough. A number of officials signed a "Statement Against Hate" on Thursday at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

A Web log that focuses on Jewish issues, TheYeshivaWorld.com, reported that swastikas and other anti-Semitic graffiti were found on Sunday painted on a house and a number of vehicles near the corner of Rodney Street and Lee Avenue in Williamsburg.

The police department's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident, police said.