This past Monday at around 10:25PM, the Long Beach Police Department responded to Temple Israel at 3rd Street and Loma Avenue in Belmont Heights, in regards to a reported vandalism after someone walking by noticed what looked like graffiti.

Officers arrived to swastika symbols and what witnesses say was the word “Nazi” that had been spray-painted on the building’s facade. The markings were removed Tuesday morning. Temple Israel, the oldest Reform Jewish Temple between Los Angeles and San Diego, had just completed a year-long, $4.6 million renovation.

Quickly following, all other Jewish temples within the city were contacted to see if a string of vandalisms had occurred; none were found.

The incident is currently being investigated as a potential hate crime and according to LBPD spokesperson Nancy Pratt, there is no substantiation that increased Nazi or white supremacist ideology is occurring throughout Long Beach; this remains a singular incident.

2012 could be the lowest year yet in regard to hate crimes, as only three have occurred in this year’s entirety, with one other besides this incident still being investigated.

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Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Violent Crimes Detail at 562-570-7250. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 800-222-TIPS, texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES, or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.