Antisemitic graffiti and flyers found in Folsom prompts hate crime investigation by police, FBI

Folsom police and the FBI are investigating Thursday four incidents of antisemitic graffiti and flyers found in the city’s Lexington Hills area as a hate crime, authorities said.

Vandalism containing hate speech has been found since Monday on the southeast side of the city in the corridor between Mercy Hospital of Folsom and Oak Avenue Parkway, according to Folsom Police Department spokesman Detective Andrew Graham.

Police said three of the incidents contained graffiti and a separate fourth incident, though not considered “vandalism,” consisted of flyers posted in the Lexington Hills neighborhood.

Graham said all of the incidents have been consolidated into the same case, which is being investigated as a hate crime.

Community members said the graffiti and flyers contained swastikas and recruitment efforts to join hate groups.

When asked if the vandalism contained any speech regarding recruitment, Folsom police said it would refer to the FBI’s investigation of the incidents.

FBI officials in Sacramento declined to comment Thursday on the matter.

Chris Patterson, a retired Folsom resident, said he saw an incident of graffiti reported on a neighborhood community app and decided to spray paint over it. While on the trail, he noticed additional graffiti and reported it to the Police Department’s non-emergency line.

“I just don’t want to tolerate this stuff,” Patterson said. “It’s beyond kids being kids, which is what everybody likes to say.”

City officials said the city manager was contacted in other instances of graffiti, and staff were able to paint over it within a few hours.

People can report any additional instances of hate speech to the Folsom Police Department at 916-461-6400.