The vandalism of a Franklin Delano Roosevelt statue in Roosevelt is being investigated as a bias crime.

A bust of the former president was defaced with graffiti, including what looks like a swastika and a Star of David. Vandals also wrote graffiti on a post office located across the street from the statue.

"It's kind of alarming to realize that sentiments like that are being used to deface monuments and public places," said resident Mark Zuckerman. Zuckerman visited the statue after learning it had been defaced.

Additional graffiti criticized President Roosevelt, saying, "You didn't fix the Great Depression." The city was founded under Roosevelt as a cooperative for Jewish garment workers.

Some believe the graffiti may have been provoked by a court case involving a community synagogue. The incident is being investigated by state police since the borough does not have a department of its own. No suspects have been named.