Another Swastika Found at Scarsdale H.S.
By Dan Murphy
Last week, a swastika was found carved into a bathroom stall at Scarsdale High School.
“Graffiti was discovered in a bathroom stall consisting of a swastika that had been etched into a toilet-paper dispenser,” explained Principal Kenneth Bonamo in a letter to parents. “This symbol has significant historical and political significance as one of anti-Semitism, hatred and intolerance. It is often used to express opposition to efforts to build an inclusive, tolerant and safe society.”
This continues an unfortunate pattern of hate symbols appearing throughout Westchester County, including swastikas found on street signs in the Village of Greenburgh, and in a Westchester nursery school, and white supremacist groups posting stickers in Peekskill and Croton. Also last week, Westchester District Attorney Anthony Scarpino announced the conviction of Timothy Goetze, 44, of White Plains, on three counts of second-degree aggravated harassment, class A misdemeanors, for threats made against Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner and his family in 2017.
Two years ago, Greenburgh police investigated three threatening emails sent anonymously to Feiner. The emails were prompted by a controversy regarding a confederate monument at a private cemetery.
The content of the three emails was identical, but each contained a different subject line: “Human Rights Education,” “Letter to the Ugly Dumb Jew,” and “Letter to the Parasite.” Among other things, the writer used profanities and directed numerous Anti-Semitic slurs to Feiner. The final sentence bore this threat: “You better run and hide you stupid f—ing Jew (sic). We are coming for you and your family.” They were signed by “Anti-Zionist.”
Although the emails did not have the defendant’s name, an investigation led to Goetze as the sender. White Plains City Court Judge Jo Ann Friia sentenced Goetze to a one-year conditional discharge with 75 hours of community service, and orders of protection for Feiner, his wife and his daughter.
In court, the defendant’s sole defense was on First Amendment/free speech grounds. The court ruled against that theory, stating that the emails were not mainly political statements and that the content was largely a personal attack on Feiner and his family, and constituted a “true threat.”
Scarpino noted: “This verdict against Mr. Goetze is an important outcome which illustrates how we seek justice whenever there is a threat to a public figure or any residents of Westchester. Threatening messages will always be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Let anyone who might make such threats know we will go after them. We commend Greenburgh police on their investigation and maintaining the safety of the town. We hope the Feiner family can now rest easier.”
Feiner reminded us that, usually, the person who commits the act is not caught.
“Two years ago, I received threatening anti -Semitic emails directed to my work email,” he said. “The Greenburgh Police Department’s detectives were exceptional – they identified the alleged person who made the threat against me and my family and made an arrest. A special thank you to the outstanding efforts and skills of the Greenburgh Police Department and to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for their efforts and for successfully prosecuting the alleged crime.
“We read, almost daily, of anti-Semitic and racist acts around Westchester, the region and the nation. We should not become immune to acts of intolerance of any type. I hope this conviction will send a message to people who are considering threatening others that they could get caught and prosecuted. Even more importantly, I hope we can all learn to respect and support each other.”
