MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are investigating who drew a swastika on the side of a Miami Beach bike kiosk.
Miami Beach Police units were at the Citi Bike kiosk dusting for fingerprints on the 4000 block of Chase Avenue, Thursday.
A 7News viewer was able to take a photo of the hate symbol before officers covered it with cardboard.
The swastika appeared inside a circle with the word “DEATH” written above it.
“The symbolism behind a swastika just stands for hate. There is no place for hate here in Miami Beach or anywhere else for that matter,” said Miami Beach Police Officer Ernesto Rodriguez.
The viewer contacted police, who immediately started looking around for any surveillance cameras that may have captured the vandal in the act.
The hateful message was found less than a block away from Temple Beth Sholom and the Beth Israel Congregation.
“Whoever did this is a person who themselves is a coward, is a person who is afraid and is, unfortunately, a person who is afraid of people who are different than either he or she is,” said Rabbi Donald Bixon with the Beth Israel Congregation. “I would say to that person, ‘We have to function as a community. We have to work together as a community, and if we work together as a community, we will be all the better.'”
Residents in the area said they were hurt and disgusted.
“It’s really terrible, and we all have to stay strong to our religious beliefs,” a resident said. “We all have to get along with each other, respect one another and make sure that we don’t perpetuate any of this type of behavior.”
There’s also reports of a similar message of hate at 53rd Street and the boardwalk.
“Anti-Semitic acts like this are unfortunate and are disgusting,” said Bixon.
If you have any information on this act vandalism, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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