Pittsburgh police investigating reports of antisemitic stickers

Pittsburgh police are investigating reports that stickers bearing antisemitic messages popped up in Pittsburgh over the weekend.

As of Monday, City Councilwoman Barb Warwick, D-Greenfield, said there were more than 20 reports of stickers with “anti-Jewish, neo-Nazi messaging.”

The stickers were “plastered throughout” the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, she said in a statement.

Cara Cruz, public safety spokeswoman, said Pittsburgh police had not been notified of that many instances as of Tuesday morning.

Someone at the Jewish Community Center on Sunday reported seeing three antisemitic stickers on light poles near the building, Cruz said.

Police also are investigating after a woman in the city’s Bloomfield neighborhood found several rolled-up flyers with antisemitic messaging in her driveway Sunday, Cruz said.

Those are the only two instances reported to police so far, she said.

Shawn Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, said the organization was aware of about 20 instances of antisemitic stickers appearing in Squirrel Hill and flyers being distributed in Bloomfield.

The stickers, she said, were mostly stuck to street signs early Sunday morning.

One sticker bears an image of Adolf Hitler with the message “Next time no more Mr. Nice Guy,” while another shows a swastika and the words “Defilement of the blood destroys our race,” Brokos said.

Anyone who finds such messages promoting any type of hate should immediately report it to 911, Warwick said.

She also urged people to submit photos with specific locations to the city’s non-emergency 311 line so Department of Public Works crews can be dispatched to remove them.

“There has been an alarming spike in incidents of anti-Jewish vandalism and harassment over the past year,” Warwick said.

Antisemitic graffiti in July targeted Chabad of Squirrel Hill and the Jewish federation, sparking outcry from the Jewish community and elected officials.

“Pittsburgh’s leaders are committed to protecting the safety and well-being of every resident,” Warwick said. “To help, please be a beacon of kindness to others, both in real life and online — especially when emotions run high.”

Brokos said the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh works closely with law enforcement to ensure the community is safe. They are not aware of any physical threats against the community, she said Tuesday.

“Our community is safe,” she said.

Still, she acknowledged such antisemitic messages can feel threatening and put the Jewish community on edge.

“Anxiety right now is very high,” Brokos said.