Statement on racist graffiti found in conservation area

Today, a resident walking in the Beaverdam Book conservation area found racist graffiti spray-painted on a stream crossing and reported it to the Conservation Commission office. The incident was immediately reported to the Lynnfield Police Department, which immediately documented the scene and launched a criminal investigation.

After the documentation of the incident, a crew from the Department of Public Works was sent to the location and removed the graffiti. The crossing will be replaced.

Police Chief David Breen asks anyone with knowledge of this incident to report it to the Police Department at (781) 334-3131 immediately.

The Town of Lynnfield released the following statement:

“There is no place for hate speech and hateful behavior in the Town of Lynnfield. We condemn this vile and abhorrent act, which is completely antithetical to our community values of respect and tolerance, in the strongest terms. We assure our residents that the Town of Lynnfield stands with all who are targeted by hate speech and racist acts and will not tolerate this type of behavior.”

Philip Crawford, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen

Christopher Barrett, Selectman

Richard Dalton, Selectman

Robert Dolan, Town Administrator

David Breen, Chief of Police