Irvine, Calif. (October 31, 2018) – Around 9 a.m. this morning, a passerby notified the Irvine Police Department that an anti-Semitic comment had been spray painted along the exterior wall of the Beth Jacob Synagogue, located at 3900 Michelson Drive in Irvine. Based upon the preliminary investigation, it appears the vandalism occurred during the early morning hours of October 31.
The Irvine Police Department is working closely with the leadership of Beth Jacob Synagogue to aggressively investigate this hate crime.
To demonstrate support for our Jewish community, the Irvine Police Department has increased patrols at the City’s Jewish facilities. IPD has reached out to its partners in the Jewish community to reaffirm the Department’s commitment to protecting their members, houses of worship and educational institutions.
Irvine Mayor Don Wagner commented, “This morning’s news of anti-Semitic vandalism against one of Irvine’s synagogues, along with reports of a recent incident at Irvine Valley College, are both enraging and unacceptable. They will not go unchallenged by the good people of Irvine. An attack on anyone in Irvine of any faith is an attack on us all.
“These two local acts of hate, and even more so the senseless, wanton murder of 11 innocent people in Pittsburgh, remind us that historical prejudices remain alive in evil people. It is for the good to work tirelessly against them, their hatred, and their evil. Anti-Semitism cannot be acceptable in this country; it will not be ignored in Irvine.
“I pledge on behalf of myself and the entire City Council that we will work with the Irvine Police Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to identify and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice. We will also continue to do everything in our power to condemn anti-Semitism and to protect Irvine’s Jewish community and also everyone of any race, religion, or ethnic background in this city.”
View the surveillance video of the incident here:
https://www.facebook.com/IrvinePD/videos/2198411273811678/
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Irvine Police Department Detective Dave Tran at 949-724-7098.