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TAUNTON, Mass. \u2014 Taunton police are investigating a possible connection between racist and anti-Semitic vandalism found at a home and synagogue in the city, the police chief said Wednesday.<\/p>\n
At approximately 3:30 pm Friday, Taunton police were dispatched to a home on Everett Street for a report of vandalism. When officers arrived, they found homophobic and racist graffiti spray-painted on a vehicle and a recycling bin, Taunton Police Chief Ed Walsh said in a statement Wednesday.<\/p>\n
While officers were at the scene, police received two more calls reporting graffiti at Congregation Agudath Achim of Greater Taunton, a Jewish synagogue at 36 Winthrop St., Walsh said.<\/p>\n
When officers arrived, they found a swastika and other hateful references spray-painted on the side of the synagogue, Walsh said. The lettering looked similar to the one found on the house on Everett Street.<\/p>\n
“Taunton will not tolerate acts of hate and intolerance, and we will call out such malicious and harmful acts wherever we see them,” Walsh said. “No resident of our community should feel unsafe, unwelcome or intimidated because of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other demographic classification. We will aggressively investigate these crimes and work with the district attorney to prosecute those responsible for these acts to the fullest extent of the law.”<\/p>\n
Since then, Taunton police have been in contact with synagogue leaders, the police chief said.<\/p>\n
At this time, the investigation into both incidents remains ongoing, he said.<\/p>\n
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.<\/p>\n
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