ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando police are responding to a recent act of antisemitism that happened Sunday in the Laureate Park neighborhood.
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People said this situation made them uncomfortable because of how frequent they have occurred.
Flyers were placed in plastic bags in people’s front yards in the Laureate Park neighborhood.
This latest act of antisemitism has concerned the community.
Read: Group hands out anti-Semitic flyers at Lake Nona neighborhood, police say
“It’s scary that if they make that type of effort to do that, imagine what else they can do,” Daniel Tuesta said.
Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith condemns the behavior in a social media post.
Statement from Chief Smith. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/7iT40SktDA
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) February 26, 2023
He said officers have responded to this incident and consulted with their legal department regarding enforcement action.
He said the police department would take any possible action to hold offenders accountable.
Channel 9 has reported on several similar situations in the past few months where antisemitic material has appeared in Central Florida neighborhoods.
In January, antisemitic pamphlets were passed around Windemere.
Read: Residents in West Orange County neighborhood find antisemitic flyers on doorstep
And last week, people held demonstrations throughout Volusia County during the Daytona 500.
Residents discovered flyers in Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach and other parts of the county.
Antisemitic language was displayed on a banner over the pedestrian bridge during the race.
Read: Sheriff: ‘Cowardly scumbags’ spread anti-Semitic flyers throughout Volusia County
“This is not only threatening to us, but its hurtful to us,” said Rabbi Rob Lennick, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler counties.
In Orlando, people said the flyers bother them and they want to know why individuals targeted their neighborhood.
“I don’t see why people would be spreading hate to anyone,” Alexzia Angomas said.
Although hatred, like a gross display of antisemitism today, may visit our city, it’s never welcome here. But it does need to be called out and condemned. I want our city’s Jewish community to know that Orlando stands with you in solidarity against antisemitism and all hate.
— Mayor Buddy Dyer (@orlandomayor) February 26, 2023
In Volusia County, Sheriff Mike Chitwood has a news conference scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m. to respond to the situations in Central Florida.
Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates on the news conference.
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