Local Jewish leaders are calling for hate crime legislation following anti-semitic graffiti at a synagogue in Carmel.
Graffiti at the Central Indiana Synagogue in Carmel depicted a Nazi flag and iron crosses on a shed on the property.
Hate crimes laws would allow judges to impose harsher sentences on those convicted of crimes motivated by hate towards protected groups. Indiana is one of only five states without hate crimes legislation. It’s been brought up many times in the statehouse, but has never passed.
Bob Feferman is with the Jewish Federation of the St. Joseph Valley. He says they’ve supported hate crimes legislation in the past as well.
“With this incident we’re renewing that effort to urge support for the passage of a hate crimes bill and not only within the Jewish community but also reaching out to the non-Jewish community.”
Feferman says more anti-semitic graffiti has been seen around Michiana in recent years. He says in the local Jewish community, people are aware of the uptick and want to take action.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has said he will support hate crimes legislation in the 2019 session.