Suspicious package leads to hazmat response in Highland Park, police say

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Highland Park police responded to a threatening, antisemitic letter found in a mailbox Sunday night.

A hazmat team was on the scene in the 900-block of Marion Avenue.

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The letter was sent through the United States Postal Service officials said.

"The letter was tested for hazardous material and deemed to be non-toxic by the Hazardous Material team," police said in an update.

The FBI and state terrorism officials are involved, officials said.

Police asked neighbors to stay clear while they investigated.

"Huge fire trucks, multiple, I want to say, three, four response vehicles, more police were coming as we were kind of still watching," Kacey Heller, who lives in the neighborhood, said. said.

The family didn't want to speak, but provided a copy of the letter in order to, they say, revel the magnitude of antisemitic hate and in it, there are more threats that more mail could be sent out.

"I thought about maybe not sending my son to camp today at his Jewish school," Heller said.

The scene left neighbors concerned of potential escalation. A copy of the letter provided by the Anti-Defamation League shows anger towards flags that were on display outside the home. It goes on to reference a rash-causing substance and ends saying, "Free Palestine, death for Zionists."

"We're dealing with record levels of antisemitic incidents, incidents of harassment, vandalism and even violence," David Goldenberg, ADL Midwest regional director, said.

Police said the letter was tested for hazmat material and found to be non-toxic. But in a community where the memory of the mass shooting on Fourth of July nearly three years is still weighing heavily. Neighbors say this is horrifying.

"I mean, nowhere safe," neighbor Susan Bender said. "it's despicable. I don't know what else you can say, and it's a cowardness"

Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering made a strong statement condemning the actions of whoever sent the letter.

The mayor said in a statement in part, "We understand the fear, the hurt, and the anger that such acts provoke. We also understand the pride and strength that come from standing firm in who we are...and in what we believe...We will not be intimidated. We will not be silent. We will meet hate with unity-and with the full strength of our community."

With an increase police patrols in this neighborhood and around town at places of worship, many in the Jewish community say they will not be intimidated.

"A nameless, baseless individual or individuals are threatening members of the Jewish community and enough is enough," Goldenberg said.

The family that received the letter released a statement saying, ""We wanted to release a copy of the vile letter we received over the weekend to reveal the magnitude of antisemitic hatred in the United States that targets Jews in the streets, in our synagogues, on college campuses, and even at our private residences. We are horrified that someone specifically targeted us with death threats and other harm for merely displaying signs we placed on our private property expressing our support and love for the Jewish People and the State of Israel. This level of Jew-hatred, which is clearly escalating here in Chicago and around the world, is unacceptable in any form, in any place. We as Jews are here and have the right to exist and feel safe in our homes."