MASSENA -- Village police are investigating a noose found on the property of a home about a block from St. Mary's Church.

"This case is being handled by our Criminal Investigations unit and every possible resource is being utilized during this investigation," Massena Police said in a news release. "Let it be known that the Massena Police Department takes these matters extremely seriously and anyone found to be involved in this will be charged to the fullest extent of the law. This will not be tolerated in our community."

Village police ask anyone with information on the origin of the noose, or information on anyone involved, to call the Massena Police Department at 315-769-3577.

A petition over the weekend on Change.org addressed to Mayor Tim Currier calls on the village police to investigate the incident to their fullest abilities.

Mayor Currier has been in contact with Chief Jason Olson and says they are investigating the matter fully.

"I spoke several times today (Monday, July 27) with Chief Olson regarding this and I can assure you our police department is taking this incident serious and we are allocating all the resources necessary to hold those responsible for this hate crime accountable," Currier said in a Monday afternoon email. "Every one of us should be disgusted by this and should stand shoulder to shoulder with this family to support them and say in loud and clear terms - not here! Not now, not ever! Racist behavior is unacceptable in this community, or any community!

"People from all over the world came to Massena in the middle of the last century to build the St. Lawrence Seaway and NYPA Power Project! Our past is defined by our diversity and our future will be strengthened because of it!" Currier wrote.

The petition had garnered nearly 600 signatures as of Monday morning, July 27 and is at https://bit.ly/3f3vos6 .