CATALINA, Ariz. — Pima County Sheriff's Department is investigating a disturbing incident of vandalism in Catalina, where swastikas and anti-Semitic language were found spray-painted on a cluster of mailboxes.
The graffiti, which included the word “Jews” in large print and the phrase “We Win,” was discovered late last week.
One of the affected mailboxes belongs to Marea Jenness, who first reported the incident to News 4 Tucson over the weekend.
Jenness said the vandalism took place Thursday night.
“It really makes me sick to see some of the ugliest symbols in human history written on mailboxes, which are federal property, right by my beautiful community,” Jenness said. She expressed disbelief that such an act could come from within the Catalina community, which she described as welcoming and kind.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department confirmed it has launched an investigation and said the incident may be connected to two other similar acts of vandalism in the area.
Rabbi Samuel Cohon, a longtime Tucson religious leader, expressed his disappointment over the incident but said he wasn’t entirely surprised.
“I wish it did come as a surprise,” Cohon said. “We’re fortunate in Tucson we’re not a hotbed for this, to be honest. But to know that in 2024, people still don’t understand that Nazi symbols are just symbols of hatred and a dead end that leads to nothing but unfortunate, sad, and terrible results.”
News 4 Tucson has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to learn more about the other potential incidents linked to this act of anti-Semitism.
As the investigation continues, the community remains shaken by the discovery of the hateful messages, with local leaders calling for greater awareness and understanding to prevent further acts of discrimination.
