Offensive graffiti on footbridge in Wantagh

A footbridge that connects the parking lot of the professional building at 3205 Jerusalem Avenue with the back alley of the Cherrywood Shopping Center in Wantagh was spray painted with drug-related graffiti. The graffiti also included a Swastika, and other anti-semitic sentiments were written in chalk in the parking lot by the footbridge.

The Swastika on the bridge was painted over last week; the anti-semitic language was quickly washed away, said John Demetropolis of Wantagh. Demetropolis, who uses the bridge most mornings, said the graffiti appeared about a month ago.

Demetropolis contacted the Town of Hempstead about the graffiti but was told that while the parking lot belongs to the town, the footbridge is owned by Nassau County’s Department of Public Works. “The town forwarded my email to the county,” explained Demetropolis, adding that no action was taken.

An inquiry into the matter was made on Aug. 4 by County Legislator David Deneberg’s office. “They are unaware of the situation but are sending a crew today to take care of it,” said Dan Yngstrom, spokesman for Denenberg.

The footbridge, hidden under a berm of trees, is at the back of the Town of Hempstead parking lot and adjacent to a grassy field on Duck Pond Road south. Demetropolis said he hasn’t seen anyone hanging out on the bridge but that the culvert and fence have a lot of litter.