Distribution of Anti-Semitic Fliers in Neighborhoods Not Illegal: Police

By DEB BELT (Patch Staff)

The man suspected of distributing anti-Semitic fliers in Chevy Chase and Silver Spring neighborhoods in recent days has broken no laws, according to police.

Montgomery County Police describe the fliers as looking like a scrapbook of anti-Semitic writings that are photocopied and arranged on leaflets. Police took a report of the fliers in the Village of Martin’s Additions area of Chevy Chase on Wednesday and then Thursday morning an officer reported the fliers were distributed along Luzerne Avenue in Silver Spring.

READ ALSO: Anti-Semitic Fliers Surface in Chevy Chase, Silver Spring Neighborhoods

The Washington Post reports that the fliers – saying Jews shouldn’t hold office and slurs against Jews – have also been found in Arlington, Alexandria and parts of D.C., including Georgetown, in recent weeks. One man distributed similar fliers in the area several years ago, and may be the person behind the new round of leaflets.

Investigators determined the activity doesn’t violate laws against vandalism, littering or tampering with the mail, Montgomery County Police Capt. Paul Sparks told the Post.

Jean Sperling, town manager for the Village of Martin’s Additions, told MyMCMedia, that home security video given to police may show an elderly man distributing the fliers. A group of boys in the community have collected all the fliers.

“The word I get is in talking with police officers is that this guy is no real threat and that the material is offensive but not a crime. It is in all likelihood someone who is mentally ill,” Sperling told the media outlet.

Last month, teenagers reportedly made what one suspect called “a bad joke” when they painted swastikas, the initials KKK and other hate-based graffiti on the walls, windows and doors of the Shaare Torah Synagogue. One Gaithersburg teenager charged in the vandalism said the graffiti was not intended as a racial slur and that he regrets the incident.

Montgomery County Police and detectives from the Gaithersburg Police charged Sebastian Espinoza-Carranza, 18, of Gaithersburg, with the April 7 vandalism. More teenage suspects are being sought in the case, authorities say.

In that case, police termed the actions a hate crime.

SEE ALSO:

• ‘I‘m Not a Racist’: Synagogue Vandalism Suspect
• UPDATE: Mother Says Son Arrested in Synagogue Vandalism Regrets Actions
• Suspects Who Painted Swastikas on Synagogue Captured on Camera