Police continue to search for vandals who struck the west course of the posh Westchester Country Club near Harrison, N.Y. last week, painting swastikas on a number of greens. Nine of the greens were damaged by oil and white paint and some trees were uprooted. It appeared that a kerosene-like substance was used to burn some trees, according to the Harrison police. “Stick people” up to six feet were also painted on the greens, similar to figures doodled on paper, according to John Traynor, superintendent of courses.
Lt. Albert Della Rocco of the Harrison police department attributed the damage to “criminal mischief.” The vandalism did not seem to indicate anti-Semitic sentiments because “the club has Christians and Jews,” he told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Della Rocco said although similar incidents of vandalism have occurred in the past, it was “never to this extent” and the recent damage was “very tragic.” This was the first time that swastikas were painted, and “I don’t know why,” said Della Rocco.
However, Traynor told the JTA that there was nothing new or unusual about the appearance of swastikas. He said that vandalism, including swastikas, occurred in the past, usually prior to the Westchester Golf Classic, as was the case in this incident. The cost of labor for repairs was estimated at $2000. The damage will not interfere with the playing of the 11th Westchester Golf Classic. Aug. 18-21, officials said.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
