Town of Yorktown Condemns Hateful Graffiti, Urges Public Vigilance

August 10, 2025 – Yorktown officials are strongly condemning the discovery of a swastika carved into a tree at Turkey Mountain.

Town officials learned about the hateful graffiti late Saturday night after seeing the image on social media. Volunteers with the town's Trail Committee removed the offensive symbol early Sunday morning, demonstrating the town’s unwavering commitment to immediately eradicating symbols of hate from public spaces.

The Yorktown Police Department has launched an investigation into the incident and is actively working to identify the individuals responsible, including tracking down those who posted images of the swastika on social media.

“Yorktown stands united against all forms of bigotry and intolerance. This act is profoundly offensive, disappointing and unacceptable. We urge anyone who encounters hateful graffiti or offensive symbols and words in our public spaces to immediately report them to the Yorktown Police Department. Your swift action helps us maintain a safe and inclusive environment for everyone,” said Supervisor Ed Lachterman.

Some candidates for the Town Board posted photos of the hateful graffiti on social media.

“While the intent may have been to inform, the manner in which some candidates chose to publicize this incident, particularly by posting images of the swastika on social media, was inappropriate and insensitive attention-mongering,” Lachterman added.

“Such actions risk amplifying the hateful message and distract from the collaborative efforts needed to address these serious issues responsibly. We must focus on unity and effective action, not political opportunism.”

The Town of Yorktown remains committed to fostering a welcoming and respectful community for all residents and will continue to work diligently with law enforcement to address and prosecute acts of hate.