LEDYARD, CT — Back in February, Patch spoke to Ledyard Police about its investigations into a Swastika, noose and other racist and anti-Semitic graffiti and symbols found in the town this year and last.

Wednesday, Ledyard Police Chief John Rich posted on Facebook, he said, information about the department’s investigation into a noose found in a local park in June 2019.

Thursday, he removed the post and issued an apology.

The original post, since deleted, read in part: “LPD is initiating a practice of disseminating additional information to our community via social media in the interest of keeping you more informed on some of our activities. This series of posts will be called ‘Did You Know?'”

The removed social media post on the Ledyard Police Department Facebook page said that the noose reported found in Highland Lake Park was not seen by parks employees or police in the days before it was found and reported to authorities. And that the matter was investigated and forwarded to the state’s attorney and a bulletin issued to other law enforcement agencies.

Patch has a screenshot of the original post from which the following is taken:

“Did you know that on June 12, 2019, LPD officers responded to Highland Lake Park on Shewville Road for the report of a noose hanging in a tree in the picnic area?

“Did you know that our officers interviewed the reporting person, photographed and sees the item, and search the area for physical evidence and contextual clues, writings or graffiti? Did you know we have the item in our custody?

“Did you know that our investigating officer’s learned that Ledyard Parks and recreation workers were in that same area of the park on the afternoon of June 11, 2019 and did not see the item? Did you know that our officers regularly patrol the park and had checked the park 11 times in the week before the report?

“Did you know that LPD notified the New London County State’s Attorney’s Office of the incident and sent the bulletin to all Connecticut law enforcement …”

Thursday, Rich said that, “in an attempt to share information and address an incident from June 2019 where a resident reported finding a noose in Highland Lake Park. The reaction to the tone of the post was overwhelmingly negative.”

So he deleted it and issued an apology.

“I didn’t want to cause any further harm in a time when unity is needed more than ever. If I offended you, or anyone, that was not my intention. I’m sorry. It was my fault,” Rich wrote.

From Patch.com