Security cameras capture man drawing swastika outside Beverly Hills elementary school

Police are searching for a man who drew a swastika outside a Beverly Hills elementary school on Monday, which marked the start of the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashana.

The hate symbol was discovered outside El Rodeo Elementary School and drawn on the sidewalk by a man who was captured on surveillance video, the Beverly Hills Unified School District announced.

The swastika was removed and a police investigation is underway.

“This hateful symbol was visible just steps away from a campus where students, staff, and families arrive to learn and feel safe,” the school district said in a statement. “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. Above all we remain committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, seen, and supported every day.”

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

The district says it has improved its safety and surveillance across its campuses in recent years, along with its emergency training and how it responds to threats.

Surveillance video provided by the school district captured a man wearing a white T-shirt and baseball cap bend over and draw the symbol on the ground. However, Beverly Hills police said they have not identified the man or made an arrest.

The incident arrives during the Jewish High Holy Days, which started on Monday with Rosh Hashana and will extend to Yom Kippur on Oct. 1. The Los Angeles Police Department increased police patrols around Jewish places of worship and community centers to ensure that the community is safe from any acts of antisemitism.

Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian said the swastika was placed on the ground “several weeks ago” and was only recently flagged by someone in the community.

“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,” Nazarian said. “We stand in UNITY against hate, discrimination, and antisemitism. Never Again is Now.”