Closter Man’s Car With Swastika Decal Sparks Outrage, Law Enforcement Investigation in North Jersey

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

CLOSTER, N.J. — A Closter man is under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies after photos of his Cadillac — featuring a swastika decal and a URL linking to his anti-Jewish blog — began circulating on social media.

The image, first shared by advocacy group Stop Antisemitism on X (formerly Twitter), alarmed Jewish community members and residents across Bergen County. The car also displayed a New York State emergency medical technician (EMT) license plate, prompting a New York lawmaker to call for the plates’ removal.

By Thursday, the swastika was gone — replaced with a neon green Jewish Star of David sprayed on the vehicle, in what neighbors believe was an act of retaliation.

Rising Antisemitic Tensions in North Jersey

The incident comes amid a nationwide rise in antisemitic acts. Newly released FBI hate-crime statistics reveal that anti-Jewish harassment reached a record high last year, accounting for 69% of all religion-based hate crimes in the U.S.

Closter Mayor John Glidden condemned the swastika display, writing that the borough stands “in solidarity with Jewish neighbors” and is committed to “valuing human dignity, equality and justice.”

The Man Behind the Car

In an Aug. 3 blog post, John Kanjiram of Closter identified himself as the car’s owner, describing the swastika — the Nazi emblem responsible for the murder of six million Jews during the Holocaust — as “a symbol of peace” and citing his free speech rights.

A woman who answered the phone at Kanjiram’s home declined to comment.

Closter Police Chief James Buccola confirmed that Kanjiram voluntarily removed the swastika decal. However, Buccola said his department, along with county, state, and federal authorities, is investigating both the swastika display and the Star of David spray paint as potential bias incidents.

“Bias incidents are very complicated by nature since there is a fine line between criminal behavior and protected speech,” Buccola said.

EMT Plate Legitimacy Questioned

New York Assemblyman Kalman Yeger called on state agencies to review whether Kanjiram was eligible for the EMT plates, noting that he may not be a certified emergency medical technician and might have registered the vehicle improperly.

“We all have the right to free speech, and he is free to put something in his car that identifies him as garbage,” Yeger said. “I am just trying to flag possible problems.”

The National Registry of EMTs confirmed Kanjiram has never been certified through their organization.

Local and Federal Leaders Respond

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5) said he was “horrified” by the incident, calling it “disgusting” and vowing that “this blatant act of antisemitism and vile hatred has no place in North Jersey or anywhere in America.”

Neighbors described Kanjiram and his family as “nice people” but expressed sadness over the controversy.

“They need our prayers,” said neighbor John Hernandez.

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