Latest news with #ShawnBrokos
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man accused of distributing antisemitic flyers in Pittsburgh identified
Police have identified a suspect accused of throwing baggies containing antisemitic messages into the front yards in two Western Pennsylvania counties. Around two weeks ago, police collected over 100 fliers just in Squirrel Hill, plus some in Shadyside and Peters Township, Washington County. Now, Jeremy Brokaw, 45, of Zanesville, Ohio, has been issued more than 160 traffic citations. Police said each citation carries a $300 fine, which in total is around $48,000. A spokesperson for Pittsburgh Public Safety said that Peters Township, Washington County, also issued the same citations for violations in that jurisdiction. The spokesperson added that the district attorney was only able to charge for traffic citations, saying that the person did not make threats and was within his First Amendment rights. Last month, witnesses said a Dodge Durango with Ohio license plates and three to four people inside tossed the baggies out of the car window while yelling slurs. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh said they know the national group behind this, which is known for flyers with a shock factor. The Jewish Federation added that this group usually operates under the cover of darkness, which makes this all the more frightening. 'With this particular group, they were so blatant, they did this in broad daylight, between 6-8 p.m.,' Shawn Brokos with the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh said. 'People were out, it was a beautiful night. It's disturbing to see them escalating and being so vocal about it.' Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Security ramps up in Pittsburgh's Jewish communities following deadly shooting in Washington D.C.
Security is ramping up in Pittsburgh's Jewish community in response to a deadly shooting in Washington, D.C. A young couple, employed at the Israeli Embassy, were gunned down after leaving an event at a Jewish museum. The suspect reportedly yelled 'Free, free Palestine' after being arrested. 'It seems like one thing after another,' Shawn Brokos said. She's the Director of Security for the Jewish Federation. Brokos tells Channel 11 the response is two-fold. Local law enforcement is increasing patrols and additional armed security has been stationed at locations and events. 'It hits home in Pittsburgh and it kind of scrapes back away at the wounds we've worked so hard to move past since the synagogue shooting,' Brokos said. Pittsburgh is home to the deadliest attack on Jewish people in American history. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Antisemitic fliers spread throughout Squirrel Hill neighborhood The incident in D.C. comes days after antisemitic fliers were dropped in Squirrel Hill and a week after a woman pleaded guilty to vandalizing a synagogue. Brokos calls it 'crisis fatigue.' 'My role is to ensure it is a safe and secure community. I can tell people that, but sometimes it just doesn't feel that way,' she said. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
