Two acts of antisemitic vandalism reported in one week in South Tampa, Florida
Two acts of antisemitic vandalism have been reported within the same week of each other in South Tampa, Florida.
The incidents both occurred in the first week of 2022, leading Tampa JCCs and Federation to state that it was “deeply disappointed”, adding: “As an organisation and a community, we find hateful acts like this disturbing and unacceptable.”
In one incident, graffiti depicting a Star of David with a line crossed through it was scrawled on a portable toilet at a residential construction site. Neither the residents nor the owner of the site are said to be Jewish and the graffiti has since been painted over. The incident was reported by a Jewish resident and the matter is currently being investigated by police.
In a second incident, Jewish students at Coleman Middle School in South Tampa reportedly created and distributed flyers with the intention of forming a club for Jewish students. However, one of the flyers that was posted on a wall was found defaced. The matter is understood to have been handled internally, with assistance from former JCCs and Federation president Joe Probasco.
The school has previously seen antisemitic vandalism when it was defaced with swastikas.
In a statement, Tampa JCCs and Federation said that “We’re fortunate and grateful we have the full support of the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, the Tampa Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to help try to ensure our safety and see that those responsible are held accountable. Battling all acts of hate and antisemitism continues to be one of our highest priorities.”
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