By Jennifer Sawhney

Some east-side residents found antisemitic pamphlets in front of their homes on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 3, prompting police to investigate who was behind the materials’ distribution.

At about 9:27 a.m., a resident called the Petaluma Police Department to report finding rolled-up antisemitic pamphlets, prompting officers to search for more such materials in an area spanning Daniel and Baywood drives, according to a Nixle advisory.

Police believe the material was distributed overnight. The department is now asking residents to check their home surveillance footage for any information they can share with police that may help them understand who was behind it.

Reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Sgt. David Boyd, who is overseeing the investigation, said officers are reviewing video surveillance to identify any involved vehicles. He had no additional updates.

Officers haven’t identified this as a criminal violation because no criminal acts have been identified, according to the Nixle alert – however, they are considering it a “hate-related incident.” If any new evidence is found, that designation could change.

“The materials appear to target the Jewish community but, at this time, do not reference or threaten any specific individuals, locations, or organizations. Officers are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the alert said.

The police department tracks hate crimes on through an online dashboard that shows seven other incidents have been reported in the city this year.

Council Member Karen Nau, who lives in and represents District 3, told Petaluma Voice she saw a post online about a neighbor finding an antisemitic pamphlet in her district in the area of St. Francis Drive. After Nau met with the resident at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, the council member collected more than a dozen additional pamphlets.

She said the pamphlets were found in front of homes from Baywood Drive to South McDowell Boulevard on St. Francis Drive. She called the incident “very disturbing,” especially considering Miwok Elementary School is nearby.

She then called the Petaluma Police Department, City Manager Peggy Flynn, and Council Member Janice Cader Thompson.

As she began to collect the pamphlets in her district, at least one officer was already in the area doing the same and asking neighbors to check their cameras. 

“The Petaluma Police Department and City of Petaluma condemn hate speech and intimidation directed at any member of our community,” the Nixle alert read. “We recognize the concern and impact this type of activity can have on those who encounter it and on the broader community.” The message also stated that the right to free speech does not diminish the impacts such hateful messages can have.

“Our role extends beyond determining whether a particular act meets the elements of a crime,” the police alert continued. “We also have a responsibility to listen to those who are impacted, document and investigate hate-related incidents appropriately, remain alert to potential related activity, and work with our community to help maintain and restore a sense of safety.”

To reach the Petaluma Police Department with any information, call (707) 778-4372.

Jennifer Sawhney is a reporter and co-founder of Petaluma Voice. She can be reached at jsawhney@petalumavoice.org.