Radio messages spur police investigation

Antisemitic messages, threats to Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor and allusions to the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter have been broadcast over local emergency communications channels during the last week.

And while local law enforcement and, possibly, federal authorities investigate the breach, radio silence seems to be the rule among those investigating.

The messages began March 2 in the afternoon. They continued into the week and included antisemitic messages, Nazi songs, praises for Hitler and threats against O’Connor. Both the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter and the 2009 shooter who killed three Pittsburgh police officers were also praised in messages.

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And while city, county and law enforcement officers haven’t said much because of the open investigation, they have shared that the radio systems that allow the county and Pittsburgh public safety personnel to communicate weren’t hacked, nor do they believe the perpetrator acquired lost or stolen radio equipment.

If someone wanted to broadcast over law enforcement radios in Allegheny County, it wouldn’t be difficult to access the analog channels. Equipment can be bought online and requires little technical knowledge.

Cara Cruz, public information officer with Pittsburgh’s department of Public Safety, said that the county, not the city, was investigating the messages.

She did note that city law enforcement had increased patrols at religious institutions in response to events in the Middle East.

Kasey Reigner, Allegheny County public information officer, told the Chronicle that county officials understand the anxiety the Jewish community feels given the content of the messages.

“This is an active investigation so there isn’t much more we can comment on,” she said.

That message was repeated by FBI Public Affairs Officer Bradford Arick.

“I can neither confirm nor deny FBI Pittsburgh’s involvement in this investigation at this time,” he said.

Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Community Security Director Shawn Brokos said that the organization is “aware of this troubling incident. We have faith in the investigation and will monitor its progress.”

Pittsburgh City Councilmember Barb Warwick, whose district includes parts of Squirrel Hill, called the matter “very concerning and frightening.”

She said the messages, occurring at a time when the Jewish community was celebrating Purim and the Muslim community was observing Ramadan, were “an example of how we’re seeing white supremacist, neo-Nazi messaging trickling down and negatively impacting our community.”

She said that antisemitic, racist language and hate crimes are becoming normalized throughout the world and can be seen everywhere from Florida to Australia to the attack at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence, which was set on fire during Passover last year.

Warwick said since the radio systems are run by the county, she didn’t know whether it was possible to update the system from analog to a more secure digital platform.

Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor, whose mother is Jewish, said he isn’t stopping the work he’s doing, noting that the perpetrator was “full of hate.”

“It’s something that we know too often about in this city and across the country,” he said.

Like others, he’s confident in law enforcement’s ability to both investigate the crime and protect his family, which was his first concern when he heard the threats targeting him.

“It’s shocking. It’s upsetting. Your mind goes to your family and kids,” he said. “Someone asked me about security and I said, ‘I have all the faith in the Pittsburgh police, so I’m not worried about my safety’ but it does get people riled up.”

The city, he said, continues to monitor the situation, especially considering what’s happening in Iran.

“I know the community and we know what’s happening overseas is scary to our residents. We’re paying close attention,” he said.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to call the County Police Tip Line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. PJC

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.