Police find hateful messages on flyers in at least 4 communities in Milwaukee area

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- People in South Milwaukee, Whitewater, Greendale and Mukwonago have all discovered bags with hateful messages in their neighborhoods over the course of the past two weeks. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 18. flyers were found in front of homes near Ohio Playfield, Zablocki Elementary School, and Morgandale Elementary School on Milwaukee’s south side containing racist and hateful language aimed at immigrants. The images were posted to a local Facebook group. 

Darryl Morin, the National President of Forward Latino, said he sadly was not surprised by the act of prejudice. 

“We’ve been seeing an uptick in hate crimes and anti-Latino activity quite honestly for some time now," Morin said. We still have people out there looking to stoke fear, needlessly, create division and resentment in our own community.”

On Dec. 9, flyers with hateful rhetoric were left outside homes in Greendale. Flyers with swastikas and antisemitic statements including, “Hitler was right” were placed into Ziploc bags, along with what callers referred to as “rat poison.”

Police in Whitewater and Mukwonago have also reported similar hateful flyers. 

Elected leaders throughout the area have responded to these messages.

 “I am disgusted to see my constituents targeted using racist, xenophobic flyers. These hateful intimidation tactics intentionally targeted a heavily Latino and Asian community, and I condemn these efforts to stir fear, spread hate, and dictate who belongs in this country," said Congresswoman Gwen Moore in a statement.  "Donald Trump’s election and campaign rhetoric has given hate a license to run rampant. As Milwaukee’s Congresswoman, I will always work to protect my constituents and will work with law enforcement to learn the source of these flyers.”

"Our city is made a better, stronger place because of its diversity. We will not stand by while individuals seek to intimidate our neighbors based on their ethnic backgrounds," Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic and Alderman Scott Spiker said in a joint statement. "Milwaukee is a city that is welcoming to all, and we will work to continue to support the people who came here to improve their lives and contribute to the betterment of our shared community."

Police have not connected any of these incidents. They are still looking to find out who is behind them

Anyone with any information about any of the hateful flyers is asked to contact police contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips.