The South Haven Police Department says there will be no hate crime charges filed after anti-Semitic flyers were left around neighborhoods in the community late last month.
Speaking to the South Haven City Council this week, Interim Police Chief Patrick Carlotto said officers were called to investigate on September 27 when the hate messages were found around the Monroe Boulevard area. It took about 15 minutes to identify the vehicle being driven by the person who was distributing them, and police pulled that vehicle over for a traffic violation.
From there, the investigation continued.
“We continued with further investigation and consulted both the local city attorney, the state prosecutors, and the federal prosecutors,” Carlotto said. “Based on the information in the flyer and the investigation, it was determined that there was no hate crime that had occurred. It did not meet the threshold for a hate crime. Although we strongly condemn the speech, it is protected under the First Amendment.”
Carlotto said the culprit was cited for littering and a license plate violation, but that’s about all the police could do. He said the department condemns the hate speech included in the flyers and is working with groups like the South Haven Jewish community and the Anti-Defamation League to ensure all parties are satisfied the city is safe.
The person who distributed the flyers has been identified as a Niles resident who belongs to a group that seeks attention with outrageous speech. A press release from the city of South Haven urges residents to “ignore these outsiders” and deny them the attention they’re seeking.
