Police step up patrols after vandalism of candidate’s home

Police in Union have increased patrols as they search for vandals that hit a political candidate's home twice. According to police, Peter Jacob found swastikas spray painted on the sidewalk in his

News 12 Staff

Oct 11, 2016, 10:07 PM

Updated 2,750 days ago

Share:

Police step up patrols after vandalism of candidate’s home
Police in Union have increased patrols as they search for vandals that hit a political candidate's home twice.
According to police, Peter Jacob found swastikas spray painted on the sidewalk in his front yard last Friday. Vandals also spray painted his backyard walls and campaign signs on Sunday.
Jacob, who is Indian-American, is running for Congress. The Democrat is seeking the 7th District House seat held by Republican Leonard Lance.
Jacob, along with various members of the religious community, held a news conference at his home today, addressing the issue and condemning the actions. He blames the vandalism on the 'ever increasing atmosphere of accepted racism' in the country because of the presidential campaign.
Jacob and his campaign manager also made a connection to his opponent, Congressman Lance, who they say compared Jacob to the Orlando nightclub shooter.
Lance, however, told News 12 he never compared his opponent to the Orlando shooter. He also said he asked to take part in today's news conference, but was told by Jacob's communications manager that he was not invited due to his support of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. 
Prior to the new conference, the Lance campaign has issued a statement condemning the incidents and saying the display of symbols is 'abhorrent.'
Meanwhile, the police director in Union Township believes the vandalism was an isolated incident.


More from News 12
0:31
Sources: Body recovered in Barnegat Bay believed to be missing Island Heights woman

Sources: Body recovered in Barnegat Bay believed to be missing Island Heights woman

1:13
Sunny today with highs in the 60s before rain arrives Wednesday in New Jersey

Sunny today with highs in the 60s before rain arrives Wednesday in New Jersey

1:22
Paterson middle school briefly goes into lockdown following gunshots at nearby home

Paterson middle school briefly goes into lockdown following gunshots at nearby home

1:52
Police: South Brunswick crash involving car and motorcycle kills 1

Police: South Brunswick crash involving car and motorcycle kills 1

0:55
News 12 and Red Bulls host Weather Education Day at Red Bull Arena

News 12 and Red Bulls host Weather Education Day at Red Bull Arena

0:53
WATCH: Body camera shows police rescuing dogs at Fairfield business complex

WATCH: Body camera shows police rescuing dogs at Fairfield business complex

0:20
Police: Burglar found in crawl space at Ocean Township diner

Police: Burglar found in crawl space at Ocean Township diner

Police: 1 person killed in car crash on Route 535 in South Brunswick

Police: 1 person killed in car crash on Route 535 in South Brunswick

1:14
Fire officials: 39 people, including 8 children, displaced in Newark Broadway Street fire

Fire officials: 39 people, including 8 children, displaced in Newark Broadway Street fire

0:29
Moscow court rejects Evan Gershkovich's appeal, keeping him in jail until at least June 30

Moscow court rejects Evan Gershkovich's appeal, keeping him in jail until at least June 30

0:27
Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A named world’s best terminal by Skytrax

Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A named world’s best terminal by Skytrax

1:52
Rahway police seek public’s help identifying suspects in attempted car thefts, burglaries

Rahway police seek public’s help identifying suspects in attempted car thefts, burglaries

0:29
Former Wildwood mayor indicted for 2nd time, accused of tax evasion

Former Wildwood mayor indicted for 2nd time, accused of tax evasion

1:29
Best of New Jersey: Enjoying sweet treats at Enjou Chocolat in Morristown

Best of New Jersey: Enjoying sweet treats at Enjou Chocolat in Morristown

0:31
Authorities ID 3 people killed in South Brunswick crash

Authorities ID 3 people killed in South Brunswick crash

0:26
USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

0:48
9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

1:50
Solar eclipse partially to blame for uptick in gas prices

Solar eclipse partially to blame for uptick in gas prices

1:09
Jersey Proud: Dionne Warwick, Kool & the Gang inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Jersey Proud: Dionne Warwick, Kool & the Gang inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

0:21
Bergen County Prosecutor's Office takes over Hackensack Police Department Internal Affairs Bureau

Bergen County Prosecutor's Office takes over Hackensack Police Department Internal Affairs Bureau