Crime

MA Couple Finds Swastika Keyed into Their Car at the Beginning of Passover

MA Couple Finds Swastika Keyed into Their Car at the Start of Passover

(Photo: My Fox Boston)

On the first day of Passover, a non-Jewish Massachusetts couple living near a conservative Jewish neighborhood found themselves the target of anti-Semitic vandalism.

(Related: Wash. Univ. Jewish Frat Members Find Swastikas Keyed on Their Cars, Tires Slashed)

Walker Hartz allegedly found a swastika and vulgar language keyed into the side of his car once he arrived at work on Friday, though it probably occurred earlier, when he parked near synagogue.

Melissa Brickley, Hartz’s fiancé, explained what happened to FOX 25:

“My fiancé called me. He had driven to work and a co-worker got out of her car, went to him and said, ‘Is that your car out there?’ Someone had keyed it and he was angry,” [said] Brickley.

During the night a vandal etched a swastika into the back passenger side of Hartz’s car, as well as a hateful message on the front passenger side.

Brickley tells FOX 25 she was more shocked than anything, then she realized it was Passover. She says the neighborhood the couple lives in is very conservatively Jewish and she was upset that her neighbors had to walk by and see the message on their car. The vehicle was parked near Brighton‘s Temple B’nai Moshe.

If that isn’t bad enough, Hartz’s insurance will not cover the damage because he did not include a vandalism clause in his policy.

However, a “good Samaritan” at a garage in South Boston is offering to fix the car– the couple has covered up the the hateful messages with paper and tape until then.

Though police have been very helpful in the matter– Brickley says they have already been contacted by three detectives– theirs may not have been the only anti-Semitic incident in the area this weekend.  The Anti-Defamation League New England reported that a nearby delivery truck also had a swastika keyed onto its side around the same time.

The Anti-Defamation League’s regional director  Derrek L. Shulman summarized: “When two incidents of hate occur near a temple at the start of a major Jewish holiday, it reminds us that anti-Semitism still exists and demands that all members of our shared community confront acts of hate as attacks on everyone who values decency and respect.”

Comments (48)

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  • Billhike
    Posted on April 9, 2012 at 12:21pm

    There is no such thing as a “vandalism clause” You buy collision to cover a wreck and you get comprehensive coverage which covers everything else, including vandalism. I ought to know, I was a claims adjuster for 39 years.
    If these people had comprehensive coverage, the damage is covered. Comprehensive is a rather inexpensive coverage.

    Report Post »  
    • Charybdis
      Posted on April 9, 2012 at 2:38pm

      Agreed. Everyone always wants to make the insurance company out to be the bad guys. Comprehensive is a very common coverage, especially on newer vehicles. Older vehicles often don’t carry it because the cost of the coverage (even though it’s lower) is deemed by the policy-holder to not be worth it compared to the overall value of the vehicle. As with any choice not to carry a specific coverage, it‘s all about risk and what you’re willing to pay to cover it. This person chose to take a gamble by not carrying it, and they lost. It’s a s simple as that. Not the insurer’s fault in the least.

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on April 9, 2012 at 4:30pm

      I don’t think anybody blaming the insurance company. I think the point is that they didn’t think they would need to do this kind of repair work but now they find themselves facing the issue of having hateful language carved into their car and wanting it removed.

      Report Post »  
  • Cruelnunusual
    Posted on April 9, 2012 at 3:51am

    SO. WHAT. I got shot at by a black guy a while back. I’ve had my house broken into, things stolen. Somebody keys a car and it makes national news?! Hell, my experiences should be in the Encyclopedia Britannica by that standard.

    Report Post » Cruelnunusual  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on April 9, 2012 at 9:42am

      I agree. Bad things happen to all races and religions. In the eyes of the media, Nazi symbolism used against a Jew or Klan symbolism against a black is worse than anything. A scratched car is a scratched car.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • theothertoolbox
      Posted on April 9, 2012 at 10:34am

      Remember and chant the mantra…”Race is just a social construct.“ ”Unless you are white, then you are the devil.”

      Report Post » theothertoolbox  
  • krisiniL
    Posted on April 9, 2012 at 12:41am

    I live outside St Louis and a few weeks ago several cars were keyed with swastikas at Washington University. I think it was a similar situation also, where the owners weren’t jewish but it was near a jewish synagogue. Coincidence?

    Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 8:41pm

    If I owned an auto body shop there I would fix it for them for free.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • LiberalSoupnCrackers
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 8:12pm

    Pube wrote:
    MA has the second highest percentage of Jewish people based on total state population in the US. Clearly plenty of Jews feel perfectly happy and at home in the state. Maybe you should stick to topics that you know something about.

    I reply:
    Pube obviously is one of those who should take his own advice. Massachusetts has considerably fewer Jewish residents by percentage of population than New York, New Jersey or Florida. The District of Columbia also out ranks Teddyville.

    Report Post »  
    • PubliusPencilman
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 8:37pm

      Yes, NY outranks MA and is first in percentage. I’ll admit that I missed NJ, which is second. MA is third, and I wasn’t counting DC because it is not a state. According to the Jewish Virtual Library statistics, MA has a higher percentage of Jewish residents than Florida.

      So, to correct my post, MA has a higher percentage of Jews than 47 other states, rather than 48 other states. I am so ashamed!

      Now, I appreciate your concern for accuracy, but exactly how does this in any way change the validity of the claim I was making about how many Jews are perfectly happy to call MA home?

      Report Post »  
  • SpeckledPup
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 7:34pm

    we just cannot believe ANY Jews support obama even as he incites these ignorant anti-semites to act like this against them.

    Report Post »  
  • SpeckledPup
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 7:32pm

    NONE of this went on before that filthy rabid anti-semite animal obama stepped on stage. how any sane Jew could ever vote for him when he’d rather see them all MURDERED is just unreal.

    Report Post »  
    • Zenzazin
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:58pm

      sorry, but you are incorrect. speaking from personal experience, people had their cars keyed and windows broken at the synagogue in my hometown YEARS before Obama was even on the scene. a swastika was even spray painted on the new temple within the first week of its being built. anti-semitism has been around for a long, long time.
      also, recent surveys have found that the majority of Jewish Americans continue to support Obama (seriously – just type “percentage of us jews support obama” into google). would you argue they are all insane?

      Report Post »  
  • TRILO
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 6:48pm

    I am sorry that they had this happen. There are sick and hateful people in this world. Unfortunately with the race, religion and poverty pimps in DC, the media and hollywood, these types of crimes are only going to get worse. I am glad to see that someone has stepped up to help them.

    However, why is it important to know that their insurance company would not cover the damage they did not pay for? Because of the nature of the vandalism the insurance company was supposed to pay for the damages? If their car was keyed should the insurance company been required to pay even though the coverage was not purchased?

    To the Blaze writers….. sometimes you contribute to the problem. Be cautious of what you write and the implications that come from your words.

    While the biggest lesson one should learn from this horrible display of intolerance is that we should respect and care for our neighbors and their beliefs. Hate crimes have no place in a civilized society. Another lesson we should learn from this is to know what your insurance covers. If you do not have coverage, it does not get paid for.

    Report Post » TRILO  
  • Jezcruzen
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 6:10pm

    I for one, and probably many others, would like to know which insurance company refused to repair the damage. Anyone know?

    Report Post »  
    • TRILO
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 6:56pm

      Who cares who the insurance company is. Why should an insurance company pay for damages a customer did not pay to cover? They did not pay for vandalism coverage. Would you feel the same if the insurance company refused to pay for the damage if someone keyed their car from bumper to bumper as opposed to carving a hateful jesture?

      I hope the people that did this are caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But do not blame the insurance company for refusing to fix the damages. Sad to say, but in this day in age, everyone need vandalism coverage.

      Report Post » TRILO  
  • tiredofprogressives
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 6:05pm

    Some kids who have nothing better to do. Turn the claim into your car or homeowners and get it fixed. This is not news worthy on a National Scale. It is newsworthy on a neighborhood scale. Crying Wolf!

    Report Post » tiredofprogressives  
    • justangry
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 6:25pm

      Every racist act is newsworthy here. If GB‘s predictions don’t pan out then he loses credibility and eventually sponsors. Remember the Middle East is on fire and it will spread to Europe and then the United States. Also anti-Semitism is on the rise. Any example that supports GB’s narrative will show up here. Even if it’s just a couple of stupid kids being stupid. Media sensationalism makes the greenbacks.

      Report Post » justangry  
  • sndrman
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 5:21pm

    i can’t remember when there has been this kinda hate mean spirted anger has been like this. teens beating white men for no reason, anti-jewish sentiment (yet the Jews still support the dems)…this adminstration has not only set theworld on fire but this country as well. if re-elected what will America look like a 4th rate Country?

    Report Post »  
  • BBEV
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 5:16pm

    I am a Christian and I consider the Jew’s my older brothers and sisters and I stand with them.

    Report Post »  
    • techengineer11
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 11:42pm

      Yes, we need an immediate Federal Investigation into this most horrific violent hateful act! All hate must be stopped now! I mean it stop all the hate and especially the hate against the honest decent perfect chosen ones and of course the blacks.. Those hates can not be tolerated any longer and that’s a fact! So stop it now all of you haters! America is the land of Love! Well and the capital of Porn, Dope, Homoiide, Divorce… lol

      Report Post » techengineer11  
  • Hugh Williams
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 5:11pm

    I thought the people of Massachusetts and the other New England blue states were the most enlighten and tolerant among us. They love to make fun of all the red states in the south (I am from Tennessee) and call us all a bunch of stupid red neck racists. It is clear there isn’t a shortage of hate filled racist in the north either.

    Report Post » Hugh Williams  
  • Netsurfer2
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 5:10pm

    More dumb people out there! You can tell by the way they do things!

    BTW: The swastika was originally founded by the Chinese, though the Nazi’s took it over as their symbol.

    What is wrong with being Jewish? Time to let it go and live life!

    Report Post » Netsurfer2  
    • Zenzazin
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 11:10pm

      swastika is actually a sanskrit word, and originates in Buddhism (which is originally from India). go anywhere in India, and there are swastikas everywhere, since it is meant as a sign of good fortune and luck. the nazis definitely perverted the meaning.

      Report Post »  
    • Zenzazin
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 11:12pm

      i misspoke – I believe it originated in Hinduism, but was also used in Buddhism and Jainism.

      Report Post »  
  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 5:02pm

    Whoever did it probably doesn’t even know the key to getting into heaven.

    Report Post »  
  • PubliusPencilman
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 4:46pm

    So, some kid being stupid and doing something offensive is national news?

    Report Post »  
  • Hawaii_Conservative
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 4:42pm

    Go and wreck the vehicle, making sure the damage is in the same area as the vandalism. AND DON’T RECORD THE WRECK. So sick of insurance company collecting $2,000 – $2,500/year for 20 years and when you finally have to claim, DENIED. Insurance companies are scamming the American people as well as every other MANDATORY entity. Living in Sweden, doesn’t look so bad now.

    Report Post » Hawaii_Conservative  
    • Toltepeceno
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 7:21pm

      I hate that it happened, but why should the insurance company pay if the people did not pay for vandalism? It’s like not taking flood insurance on your house and expecting the company to pay when you get flooded out.

      I dislike insurance companies and hate bigots, but lets be real.

      Report Post » Toltepeceno  
  • MAULEMALL
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 4:39pm

    Massachusetts is continuing the Kennedy antisemitic culture … They are typical Dem’s..

    Report Post » MAULEMALL  
    • PubliusPencilman
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 4:45pm

      MA has the second highest percentage of Jewish people based on total state population in the US. Clearly plenty of Jews feel perfectly happy and at home in the state. Maybe you should stick to topics that you know something about.

      Report Post »  
    • MAULEMALL
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 6:24pm

      I know that South Africa had some of the largest ares of blacks but they were hated…

      Joe Kenedy was distrusted when he was an ambassador because of his antisemitism and mass has already had 2 of its “Higher Learning” institutes busted for their overt antisemitism…

      Seems to be hitting to close to your home …

      Report Post » MAULEMALL  
    • PubliusPencilman
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 8:49pm

      “I know that South Africa had some of the largest ares of blacks but they were hated…”

      Wow. That must be one of the silliest comparisons I’ve ever heard. South Africa had a high percentage of black people because it’s in AFRICA and they were colonized. Explain to me exactly how this situation compares to MA.

      Yes yes yes. Joe Kennedy, blah blah blah. Feel free to conveniently ignore that fact that Ted Kennedy was a great supporter of Israel and the Jewish community.
      http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3767967,00.html

      Report Post »  
    • MAULEMALL
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 11:59pm

      Sure Teddy was all about anything that didn’t point to his killing of Mary Jo…

      He was a REAL brave guy……
      A REAL friend of Israel… I wonder how long it takes to make up for the Millions that good ole Joe helped to eradicate
      http://www.cwporter.com/ytedkhitler.htm

      Report Post » MAULEMALL  
  • momrules
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 4:30pm

    They are starting to come out of their nasty little closets and show their hatred again. Right now the ones who did this are cowards hiding their evil under the cover of darkness but more and more are showing up in the daylight hours.
    AntiSemitism is the new *in* thing for some of the young liberals out there.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 4:25pm

    This will intensify across the board with Kaiser Obama’s blessings.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • cookcountypatriot
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 4:23pm

    the progressives behind this are using jews as thier first target..next will be christians…we must all stand together

    Report Post » cookcountypatriot  
  • AllAmericanGirl22
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 4:14pm

    It’s very disturbing how much antisemitism has risen in America. It makes you think Is my religion next? Every time I see stuff like this, I think about Holocaust, this is how it started.

    Report Post » AllAmericanGirl22  
    • PubliusPencilman
      Posted on April 8, 2012 at 5:20pm

      Don’t be silly. Some car getting keyed is not how the Holocaust started. When you blow everything out of proportion, no one is going to take your seriously.

      Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 4:07pm

    WE might as well get used to this. Remember, things are just things. The Bible teaches us not to fear those who can kill the body but rather he who kills the soul.

    Our goal is to follow CHRIST JESUS wherever that leads us. Love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us.

    In the meantime, if we catch the b******s in the act, let them know they are caught!

    Report Post »  
  • Cemoto78
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 4:06pm

    Anyone who is that chicken to deface someone’s property needs to find a home behind bars. Whoever the person is that offered to fix the damage for free is a great person in my book. Thankfully, there are more of people like that around than not.

    Report Post » Cemoto78  
  • Robert-CA
    Posted on April 8, 2012 at 4:03pm

    To all the loons out there .
    Grow up .

    Report Post » Robert-CA  
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