US authorities investigate Lakeville vandalism
The US Secret Service and the FBI are investigating a vandalism incident at a Lakeville golf course, where a swastika was carved into the 18th green above President Obama’s last name.
Around 6:30 Monday morning, workers at the Lakeville Country Club discovered the 15-foot vertical message, which read “I,’’ the Nazi Party symbol, and “Obama,’’ with a long line underneath. They immediately notified authorities, who are treating it as a potential threat.
“We investigate these cases thoroughly,’’ said Steven Ricciardi, special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Boston office, which has joined local police on the case. He declined further comment.
Police Chief Mark Sorel said the vandalism probably constitutes a hate crime, whether the culprits meant it as a prank or not.
“We don’t have a suspect as yet,’’ he said. “We are pursuing any leads that we receive.’’ He said police have spoken with neighbors who live near the course, but they did not see or hear anything unusual.
Lakeville is a rural town of about 10,000 people some 40 miles south of Boston.
Obama plans to visit Boston Oct. 23 to attend a fund-raising luncheon for Governor Deval Patrick at the Westin Copley Place hotel. The Secret Service is in charge of presidential security.
Lou Mincone, the public club’s assistant manager, said he was stunned by the vandals’ gall, and baffled by the senseless, hateful act.
“What would motivate anyone to do such a thing?’’ he asked incredulously. “To use the president’s name like that? It’s crazy.’’
Mincone, who discovered the damage, said the vandals dug the message more than an inch into the turf, probably using a tool or sports cleats.
He said the message was written sometime Sunday night or Monday morning.
“It took a while to do,’’ he said. “It wasn’t a five-minute deal.’’
The course is encircled by a short fence but is easily reached, Mincone said. Teenagers have occasionally stolen flags over the years and thrown tee markers into the water, but had never done serious damage, he said.
“Nothing like this,’’ Mincone said. The green is not lit and does not have surveillance, he said.
The course moved the pin on the final hole to make it more playable, he said, but golfers will have to contend with the damage for some time. Repairing the green this late in the year could take months, he said, and will cost at least $1,000. “There will be a blemish for quite some time,’’ he said. “It’s just sick.’’
Yesterday afternoon, Diana Dority, the daughter of the club owner, Gary Mosca, decided to block the offensive image from view with a large cardboard heart.
“We want to teach love, not hate, to our children,’’ she said.