Police are searching for the person who painted several swastikas in a Milford neighborhood.
The swastikas were found Monday morning, the first full day of Hanukkah, in an area near Woodland Drive.
A tree, a street sign and a crosswalk were all vandalized with the Nazi symbol, according to police.
Police said there does not appear to be a direct target, but they are increasing their patrols in the neighborhood.
"Police are out investigating it as an act of violence with a hate message," Milford Police Officer Michael DeVito said.
Investigators believe the swastikas were painted sometime overnight. Officers have already tried to clean up what was a black swastika found on a tree on Woodland Drive.
Neighbors said it was a troubling sight, especially at a time when many in the community are just now beginning to celebrate the season.
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“It affects a lot of people and it's very hateful," Brittney Alves said. "It's a very hateful thing to do.”