$2,500 reward offered for information on swastikas spray-painted onto Beaver County home

A $2,500 reward is being offered after swastikas were spray-painted on the side of a home in the borough of Beaver. 

Beaver police said on Friday that they're investigating a "disturbing" act of vandalism where a hate symbol was spray-painted onto the side of a residential building near Fifth Street and Sharon Road. 

Police and the Beaver County commissioners are each offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. The Beaver County Crime Solvers have also put an extra $500 on the table. Residents in the area are encouraged to check their security cameras and report any suspicious activity. 

"This act of antisemitism is unacceptable and does not reflect the values of our community," Beaver police said in a press release.

Investigators believe that the graffiti is an isolated incident. 

"However, we take this matter extremely seriously and are committed to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable," police added. 

Meanwhile, neighbors woke up to the sight of the antisemitic symbols, but said it is not representative of their community. 

"Honestly, when I saw it, I was disgusted," said Kevin Kirkland, a neighbor. "There's been a lot of antisemitism going on lately." 

Kirkland went to high school just down the street, and said seeing them messed him up, calling it "really weird." 

John Newhouse lives inside the building and said they were painted over so quickly, he didn't even notice them until he saw a picture. 

"I just think it's crap," he said. 

"It ain't right, it's not a joke," added another neighbor, Mark Fredrick. 

That's the exact sentiment from multiple neighbors. 

"I thought maybe it's just some kids," said Kirkland. "For some odd reason, it's trendy to be doing antisemitic things. You see Kanye West doing it, people just think it's trendy. So maybe it was just some children. I think they thought they were doing something funny, and they don't know the history behind it." 

According to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, after the Hamas attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the Pittsburgh area has seen a 30% increase in antisemitic incidents, and the momentum has continued consistently at an elevated pace.

However, Kirkland said he's confident the perpetrators will be caught. 

"People have money around here, someone has a Ring Camera, somebody's seen it," he said. "I think they'll be found very soon." 

Anyone with information is asked to call Beaver police at 724-775-0880.