Police: 'Kill Jews' Written On Papers Scattered On Borough, Township Streets

UPDATE: Tuesday, 2:54 p.m. Dozens of pieces of paper, each containing the phrase "Kill Jews," were found along Main Street and Fairmount Avenue last week, according to Chatham Borough police.

Mayor Nelson Vaughan said today that police are taking the incident very seriously, and said "it's under heavy investigation."

"It's a hate crime," he said.

Police said they were called to the intersection of Main Street and Tallmadge Avenue Wednesday at 8:20 a.m. after a resident reported finding some of the pieces of paper.

When they arrived, police said, they walked along Main Street from its beginning (near where it intersects with John F. Kennedy Parkway and Route 24) to Passaic Avenue picking up the pieces of paper. "Kill Jews" was scrawled on each in black magic marker.

Police said they picked up 35 identical pieces of paper along Main Street in that roughly half-mile long distance.

Township police also reported they found identical pieces of paper along Highland Avenue.

The next day, borough police said, they found more pieces of paper with the "Kill Jews" phrase along Fairmount Avenue.

Police said they don't know how long the pieces of paper were on the sidewalk and said they haven't yet been able to pinpoint any suspects. They are working with the county Prosecutor's Office on the investigation. Vaughan also said the police department has consulted with local rabbis in reference to the matter.

Summit and Millburn police have reported similar events in the past.

Anyone with information should call borough police at 973-635-8000.