Anti-Semitic flyers found in Sussex neighborhoods, investigation underway

 

SUSSEX, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A disturbing discovery in Sussex over the weekend -- people woke to find anti-Semitic flyers dropped on driveways. 

Sussex is one of those places where neighbors help neighbors. Those we spoke with say they never thought they'd see this kind of hatred there. 

It was 7 a.m. Saturday. The morning light revealed little sacks left on driveways and near mailboxes, police say in multiple residential neighborhoods of Sussex. 

"It was really hard to take in. I was shaking, physically shaking for an hour after seeing it," said Bridget Botts-Kastern, Sussex resident. 

As Botts-Kastern looked down her block, she found even more of these flyers, meant to incite fear, that we've chosen to blur. 

"I went around and picked up the flyers that I could see still out on the street," she said. 

A number of Sussex residents reported it to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, which released a statement saying, in part, "We are appalled at these brazen acts."

The Chabad Jewish Center of Waukesha released the following statement:

"We are always concerned when we hear about people who want to cause fear or hate against any group of people. We tend to think that happens somewhere else, but in reality, it happens right here in Waukesha County. It saddens me to think that someone has an agenda, in this case, specifically against Jewish people. In times like this, we continue to be resilient, and we remember that Jewish tradition teaches that even a bit of love and light will always outshine darkness and evil of this world. Our response is to try and let that light of love, kindness and empathy shine a little brighter in a hurting world."

It's a message Botts-Kastern takes to heart.

"I was pretty angry. I have a Jewish grandfather. He was around for the holocaust, and he knows how horrible it was," said Botts-Kastern. "He lost friends and family in there and this is how it starts. Just bringing attention to this, I’m kind of, I think -- I think he'd be proud. I hope he is seeing me take a stand for him."

The Milwaukee Jewish Federation puts a report together once a year on anti-Semitic incidents. The most recent was released in the spring and showed a seventh consecutive year of elevated incidents. 

Waukesha County hasn't yet identified who did this, but they say they're working hard to find out.