Bay City News
A group of people displaying antisemitic messaging around Petaluma are reprehensible but not breaking the law, police said Monday.
The Petaluma Police Department said it is "deeply troubled and saddened" to report recent hate-related incidents that took place this week.
In the first instance, a group of people gathered on the E. Washington Street overpass Sunday afternoon facing the U.S. Highway 101 freeway, holding an antisemitic banner. Police made contact with the group and identified those involved, who agreed to leave the area.
Several hours later, the same people were reported in the East Washington Place shopping center, where they placed flyers containing antisemitic rhetoric on parked cars. Police again responded and collected the flyers as evidence, but the individuals were no longer in the area.
At approximately 10:45 p.m., the same group was observed holding the same banner at the Caulfield Lane overpass above Highway 101. Officers responded to the area and contacted the individuals and determined "there no were no criminal violations to address," the department said.
On Tuesday, police received a report of a community member who located five of the same antisemitic flyers that had been found on vehicles in the East Washington Shopping Center while on a walk in an East Petaluma neighborhood the previous day.
Petaluma police said they have been collaborating with regional law enforcement agencies and are reviewing these incidents.
"While they involved hate related speech, they have not yet been identified as criminal violations," said the department in a Tuesday release. "The hate related materials target the Jewish community, but did not mention any specific community members, locations, or organizations."
Police are hoping more community members report additional incidents or information related to this issue.
"The Department urges everyone to join us in speaking out against hate and to work towards creating a community where diversity is celebrated, and everyone feels safe, welcomed, and valued," said police. "Petaluma continues to stand United Against Hate."
Police said community information about the department's actions can be found at https://cityofpetaluma.org/united-against-hate/.
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