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OAKLAND COUNTY — Neighborhoods across Oakland County were reportedly peppered with antisemitic material and a building was vandalized between Oct. 5 and 7, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments.
A statement released by the Sheriff’s Office said deputies are investigating multiple instances of antisemitic flyers being distributed around the county, which the Sheriff’s Office called “completely unacceptable,” adding that it stands firmly against “this disturbing and disgusting behavior.”
“It happened in a number of communities all across the county — Rochester Hills, Commerce, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, and I believe Waterford and White Lake as well,” Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said. “I would say close to 1,000 flyers were distributed.”
Officials are investigating whether it could be connected to Monday, Oct. 7 marking the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ attack in Israel.
“I don’t think it was a coincidence,” Bouchard said. “It’s the first time we’ve seen such a large number of things distributed almost simultaneously.”
The first instances were reported in West Bloomfield and Farmington Hills, followed by Rochester Hills and Commerce Township.
According to a press release, at around 8 a.m. Oct. 5, the West Bloomfield Police Dispatch Center received a phone call about residents in the 4800 block of Pelican Way finding anti-Jewish rhetoric flyers in a plastic bag.
According to the release, after officers were sent to investigate, it was revealed that over 100 households in the neighborhood had received similar material on their driveways overnight.
A resident in the neighborhood reportedly captured security camera footage of an unknown dark-colored pickup truck driving in the neighborhood around 11:45 p.m. Oct. 4, although the release states that “it is currently unclear if the truck is connected to this incident.”
No suspects have been reported.
The West Bloomfield Police Department is treating the situation as a case of ethnic intimidation, according to the release. Anyone with information is urged to call the West Bloomfield Police Department at (248) 975-8934.
The Farmington Hills Police Department responded to the area of 14 Mile and Farmington Road Oct. 5, where several residents reportedly found plastic bags containing “virulent” antisemitic material on their front lawns.
The neighbors opened the bags to find that they contained an antisemitic flyer that had been thrown onto their front lawns and driveways overnight.
“The timing of this detestable activity exacerbates the chilling effect on our community,” Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King, stated via a press release. “This type of hateful activity will not be tolerated in Farmington Hills and our agency will use all available resources to prevent, investigate, and prosecute those responsible for this incident.”
Investigators and officers eventually recovered over 100 bags containing the antisemitic materials.
The bags were found to be weighed down with various non-hazardous materials for ease in hurling onto the residential lawns and driveways, according to the release.
A team of detectives and command officers reportedly went door-to-door, collected evidence and conducted interviews with witnesses.
“This is a very active investigation, with investigators coordinating with our State and Federal Law Enforcement partners, the Anti-Defamation League, and other jurisdictions who experienced matching incidents.”
In Rochester Hills, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said, many of the same baggies of flyers, around 200, were reportedly found in the lawns and driveways of homes in the 900 block of Majestic the morning of Oct. 7, as well as many other homes in the neighborhood and nearby subdivisions.
In Commerce Township, a baggie was discovered in the driveway of a home in the 2500 block of Northtrail Road. Detectives are investigating.
Bouchard the incidents are being “aggressively investigated” by detectives and the Sheriff’s Office is working closely with others that have similar cases.
“We suspect much of this is coming from outsiders,” Bouchard said in a statement. “I have been very clear on this topic, but it bears repeating: If you come at our Jewish community, or for that matter anyone in our Oakland County community, we will stand in front of them to protect them, and we will come for you.”
In Bloomfield Township, the Jewish Federation of Detroit, on Telegraph Road, was vandalized in the early morning hours Oct. 7.
In a statement released Oct. 7 by Jewish Federation of Detroit, CEO Steven Igber and Federation President Gary Torgow said, “We are deeply disturbed and saddened to report that early this morning, the offices of the Jewish Federation of Detroit were the target of antisemitic vandalism. This attack, occurring on the anniversary of the October 7 massacre in Israel, was not only an assault on our physical space but also on the heart of our community. It is a stark reminder of the rising tide of hate affecting the Jewish people, here and around the world.
“We unequivocally condemn this cowardly act of vandalism and stand firm in our resolve. It will not deter us from our vital mission to support the people of Israel, combat antisemitism, and foster a strong Jewish future. In the face of these challenges, we remain united and resilient, committed to defending our values and protecting our community.
“We are grateful for the support of our local community, partners, and allies during this difficult time, and we thank local, state, and federal law enforcement for their efforts.”
Nick Soley, of the Bloomfield Township Police Department, said police were notified at 4 a.m. of the spray-painted antisemitic graffiti and are currently investigating.
“It seems like most of the ground-level windows and sidewalks facing Telegraph were vandalized,” Soley said.
Soley said police are in contact with the Attorney General’s Office, the FBI and the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
“The federation handed over some evidence to us, and we’re still working through it,” he said.
The building has video surveillance, which is under review by police.
“It’s very unfortunate and disturbing that people would do these things,” Bouchard said.
Detectives are currently canvassing neighborhoods looking for homes that have cameras and asking to review footage.
“They have seen some footage, and that’s an ongoing process. If someone has camera footage that they think would be helpful, it would be great if they give us a call or their local police department, if it’s not us,” Bouchard added.
Anyone who has information is asked to contact their police department.
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