Someone painted a swastika on a local community pool, according to police who are investigating “this act of vandalism and hate.”

Police officers on Wednesday morning responded to the antisemitic symbol at the Wayland Community Pool.

The police department launched a criminal investigation, and the Facilities Department painted over the swastika.

The area of the graffiti is not lit at night, and the area is partially blocked by a tree, according to town officials.

“However, given that this incident occurred on a main road in our town, there is concern that members of our community, including school students, may have seen the symbol,” the Wayland officials added.

Wayland Public Schools notified families of the incident, and school officials were reaching out to students and adults who are “directly impacted by this act of hate.”

“We are deeply saddened and angered to hear of this incident,” the town officials said. “This hateful act does not reflect Wayland’s values and will not be tolerated in our Town. Hatred will be called out and denounced in all its forms, and we will not tolerate incidents such as this one violating our nation’s basic principles and attempting to intimidate our community members.”

The Wayland Police Detective Unit is investigating the incident.

The police department has also contacted the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL leadership team will support the police department and community members during this investigation.

“We are committed to fostering an atmosphere where everyone in Wayland feels safe, supported, and welcomed,” the town officials said. “We are at our best as a community when we can live without fear of violence, discrimination, exclusion, or humiliation.

“As members of the Wayland community, we extend our unconditional support and solidarity to anyone who has been victimized by antisemitism, through this incident or any other act,” they added. “We are committed to continuing to provide resources, support, and education to guide our community away from hate.”

Town leaders, Rabbi Danny Burkeman of Temple Shir Tikva, and Rabbi David Finkelstein of Congregation Or Atid on Wednesday met to discuss the incident.

“Given rising levels of antisemitism in this country, it is unsurprising that our Town has once again been desecrated by the drawing of a swastika in a public space,” Burkeman said. “The response to this hateful act cannot be from the Jewish community alone; our Town must come together to unequivocally reject antisemitism to ensure that Jews, and all other residents, feel safe and welcomed here in Wayland.”

“As the rabbi of Congregation Or Atid, one of Wayland’s Jewish institutions, I strongly condemn this act of vandalism and hate placed where many of our children and educators were exposed to it,” Finkelstein said. “I appreciate the responsiveness of Chief Burman, the administration of Wayland Public Schools and the township, and I look forward to the responses of Wayland residents and their expression of support for their neighbors who are targeted by hate.”

Police are urging anyone who has information regarding this incident or who noticed suspicious activity in the area of Old Connecticut Path to call the Wayland Police Department at 508-358-4721 or the Anonymous Tip Line at 508-358-1726.