Baltimore County Police Investigate Antisemitic Vandalism At Rosedale Cemetery Amid Jewish High Holidays

BALTIMORE COUNTY - The Baltimore County Police Department is investigating a disturbing act of antisemitic vandalism at Lubawitz Nusach Ari/Ner Tamid Cemetery in Rosedale, according to a police spokesperson.

Police said graffiti, specifically a swastika, was found on a cemetery wall off Hamilton Avenue - WJZ Reporter Kelsey Kushner posted a photo of the graffiti on social media.

According to Baltimore County Police, officers arrived at the cemetery around 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Upon arrival, officers recorded details of the vandalism before the affiliated synagogue initiated its removal.

The vandalism occurred during the Jewish high holiday season, starting with Rosh Hashana, which commenced last Friday evening, through Yom Kippur, set to begin this Sunday, and concluding with Hanukkah celebrations starting on December 7.

Police are investigating the vandalism as a "bias incident," meaning an identified suspect could face hate crime charges.

Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough addressed the unsettling incident at a public safety meeting on Wednesday.

"Any time there's any type of hate crime or any type of destruction of property related to those types of things, we're always concerned in Baltimore County," McCullough said. "we will be dedicating all resources to investigating that issue."