Police stepped up patrols around Beard Elementary School on Monday after it was covered in offensive graffiti Sunday afternoon, officials said. View Full Caption Dennis Schlagheck

NORWOOD PARK — Police stepped up patrols around Beard Elementary School Monday after it was covered in offensive graffiti Sunday afternoon, officials said.

Anti-Semitic graffiti, gang signs and "retardz," a slur for those with mental and physical disabilities, was painted on the walls of Beard Elementary School, which serves students with special needs, sometime on Sunday, Chicago Police Capt. Hooten Bahmandeji said.

No one is in custody in connection with the incident, Bahmandeji said.

Two nearby garages and cars were also spray painted with swastikas and the phrase "Heil Hitler," Bahmandeji said.

Heather Cherone says CPD's Civil Right's Unit is also investigating:

Detectives with the Chicago Police Department's Civil Rights Unit as well as investigators from the department's property crimes unit canvassed the neighborhood around the school at 6445 W. Strong St. Monday looking for witnesses as well as video cameras that may have captured the incident, Bahmandeji said.

Patrols have been increased in the area, Bahmandeji said.

Norwood Park resident Dennis Schlagheck said he was shocked to see the graffiti when he passed by the school around 2 p.m. Sunday.

"Ignorance has no boundaries," Schlagheck said.

Ald. John Arena (45th) and his staff helped Chicago Public Schools officials remove the graffiti Sunday night in order to avoid having students attending summer classes at the school see the offensive words.

Arena said "hateful symbols and words" have no place in the Beard school community or Norwood Park neighborhood.

Anyone with information about the incident can call the Jefferson Park District at 312-742-4480.

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