The district said police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect. (photo courtesy of BHUSD)

The Beverly Hills Police Department is searching for a suspect after a swastika was discovered on a sidewalk outside of El Rodeo Elementary School, according to the Beverly Hills Unified School District.

The BHUSD said it discovered the antisemitic hate symbol on Monday, Sept. 22, and the graffiti was removed immediately. Security footage captured a man in red pants, a white T-shirt and black baseball cap drawing the swastika.

“This incident comes at a particularly sensitive time for Jewish families as Rosh Hashanah begins this evening. We condemn this act in the strongest possible terms,” the district said in a statement released on Sept. 22. “This hateful symbol was visible just steps away from a campus where students, staff and families arrive to learn and feel safe. Antisemitism is not abstract, it is real, and it continues to show up in ways that are meant to intimidate. We want to be clear – hate of any kind is not acceptable.”

The district did not disclose when the symbol was drawn. However, according to Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian, the symbol was “placed on a sidewalk several weeks ago and was just recently discovered.”

It is unclear exactly how much time elapsed between the symbol being drawn and when it was discovered. The Beverly Hills Police Department did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

“In Beverly Hills, the safety and security of our community remains our top priority,” Nazarian said. “As the High Holy days approach, BHPD works diligently to ensure the protection of our community and has increased patrols around houses of worship during this time. We stand in unity against hate, discrimination and antisemitism. Never again is now.”

The school district added that it has made “significant improvements” to security including advancing surveillance and emergency training and will continue to address safety concerns and update the community as the investigation continues.

“Every student deserves to come to school without fear,” BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss said. “Our district will act with transparency, responsibility and care when hate harms our community. Your safety is our top priority.”

The Beverly Hills Unified School District asked anyone with information to contact the BHPD by calling (310)550-4951.

The antisemitic incident comes amid increased concerns over safety in the school district following a controversial resolution that would have required the display of Israeli flags on school campuses. After the district received antisemitic messages and direct threats over the resolution, which was aimed at combating antisemitism, Cherniss reversed the board’s decision to require the display of the flag of Israel.