Village Police Log: Menorah on Village Green Damaged

The on the Village Green in Westhampton Beach was damaged sometime between Dec. 9 and Dec. 11, but police say it is not likely a hate crime.

Westhampton Beach Highway Superintendent John Kearns told Westhampton Beach village police at 10 a.m. on Dec. 11 that the wooden fixture was damaged, adding that he saw it Friday and it looked intact. A bulb was separated from a wire, and there was additional damage done to the menorah’s base, officers said.

Hanukkah does not start until Dec. 20, so none of the lights were lit.

Garbage was also strewn inside the gazebo, police said. Officers say they may use fingerprints left on evidence at the scene in their investigation.

Lieutenant Trevor Gonce said the incident, categorized as fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, did not appear to be a hate crime, but that police would look into that angle.