Holly MatkinSuffolk County, NY – Threats to murder law enforcement officers and their wives were spray-painted in multiple areas of Westhampton in January, according to police.
Discovery of the anti-cop phrases such as “COPS WILL BE SHOT,” AND “COP WIVES GET SHOT 2” were reported to the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) at approximately 9 a.m. on Jan. 27, the New York Post reported.
Investigators said they believe the vandalism occurred sometime during the previous night.
One message, “WHBPD=DEATH,” apparently referring to the Westhampton Beach Police Department (WHBPD), was found scrawled on the sidewalk along South Road near Beaver Dam Creek, the New York Post reported.
Two other messages, “POOR>RICH” and “COPS WILL BE SHOT,” were spray painted on the same sidewalk.
Police said additional graffiti reading, “SHOOT COPS 4 FUN,” and “COP WIVES GET SHOT 2” was located on the center yellow lines of Baycrest Avenue near Bishop Avenue, the New York Post reported.
A cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the vandals responsible for the anti-police graffiti was being offered by the Suffolk County Crime Stoppers, according to WPIX.
The threatening messages were discovered less than a week after 22-year-old New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Jason Rivera and his partner, 27-year-old Officer Wilbert Mora, were fatally shot in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance.
Officer Rivera died shortly after the attack, and Officer Mora succumbed to his wounds on Jan. 25.
A total of six NYPD officers have been shot so far this year, New York City Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch said during a press conference Tuesday night, according to WPIX.
“What we can’t allow to happen is that it becomes routine to open up the newspaper or turn on the news in the morning and near that another New York City police officer was shot,” Lynch said.
