A menorah was found vandalized in Uptown Gig Harbor at the start of Hanukkah, sparking an investigation of the incident as a malicious mischief offense and potential hate crime, according to police.
Light bulbs were broken off and the structure was partially bent, one volunteer for the Chabad of Pierce County Center for Jewish Life discovered on Dec. 25, the first day of Hanukkah this year. The menorah, which was set up the day before, is one of six public menorahs the organization set up across the county this year, according to Rabbi Mendel Kesselman, director of Chabad of Pierce County.
Police were aware something had happened but didn’t receive a report until Monday afternoon, after which they opened an investigation which remains ongoing, according to Gig Harbor Police Lt. Fred Douglas.
Kesselman said they weren’t able to file the report right away because of a packed schedule in the days following, with four other Hanukkah celebrations to lead across Pierce County between then and Monday…