New Jersey

Policeman's Daughter, Other Teens Spark Ire Over Anti-Semitic Social Media Posts

Members of a large Jewish community in Ocean County, New Jersey are upset after photos of a state police sergeant's daughter wearing a swastika and holding a Nazi pose were posted on social media.

The photo is part of a number of anti-Semitic messages posted by teens from Jackson Township in recent months and directed toward the Orthodox Jewish population in neighboring Lakewood, officials said.

"I find that extremely offensive," said Moshe Lankry, a business owner in the Jersey Shore town.

One post read, "I really wanna drive around Lakewood and run over every Jew with my car." Another showed a photo of a Lakewood ice cream shop below the caption of "perfect bombing time."

"When they make a comment about bombing an ice cream store, filled with children, it’s disturbing," said Lankry.

NBC10 is not identifying the teens because they are minors and have not been charged with a crime.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato said his office is aware of the messages, but at this time there are no plans to file charges because a crime has not been committed.

“You have to analyze what was said, how it delivered and whether they have the capability of being a potential threat," he told NBC10 Friday. “We are not driven by public opinion. We are driven by the law and we must follow the law."

Coronato said his office is handling the issue as a juvenile matter and thus cannot release additional information.

Lakewood Mayor Albert Akerman said he's been working with Jackson Township officials to address the problem.

"I’ve already spoken to Jackson schools. I’ve spoken to the mayor of Jackson and we’re going to try to create a better future for the two towns," he said.

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