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Boyertown Police Chief Barry Leatherman stated that the individuals were on
the corner of Philadelphia and Reading avenues from approximately 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. One was wearing a "Neo-Nazi" uniform, and the other two were in plain clothes. They were handing out literature when he drove by.
In a police team effort, Colebrookdale District Police Chief Larry Mauger added:
On Sunday evening, May 22, three males spotted by Colebrookdale police officer Michael Filipovic handed out flyers in Boyertown. One was clothed in a "Neo-Nazi" uniform, and two were in plain clothes.
"I'm a member of the Boyertown diversity steering committee, I certainly do not want to see this occurring," stated Mauger.
Chief Mauger commented that last week he and another officer spoke to Boyertown Area High School students about hate crimes and ethnic intimidation.
Following the program, a student informed Mauger of "skinheads handing out papers at the main intersection in Boyertown" on Mother's Day. At the next police department meeting, Mauger instructed his officers to report this activity if seen or heard again.
Mauger added that the individuals were not breaking the law but "should not try to profess hate."
In a flyer that was distributed and given to The Times by a Boyertown resident, the message showed defamatory literature toward Jewish individuals and inter-racial relations from the Nationalist Socialist Movement.
As one recipient of the literature, Ray Oliver of Boyertown said he observed three men. One in a khaki uniform wearing a "Nazi" swastika armband, black pants and military boots, and two dressed in black pants and t-shirts. They handed out the information to passers-by.
"I might have witnessed that for about 15 minutes...they were from the Nazi party, it was really obvious," he said. "I didn't have direct communication with them."
A Boyertown Area Unity Coalition (BAUC) spokesperson said the actions and words by these three "Nazi" individuals have been heard and discarded.
"Unfortunately, these three men don't realize that Boyertown is a town that rejects messages of bigotry and prejudice," said Jen Schlegel of the Boyertown Area Unity Coalition (BAUC).
"This town as shown through the initiatives of the Boyertown Area School District and the Colebrookdale District police department, proves we're
moving forward in a positive direction," Schlegel added.
If anyone witnesses or is a victim of hate activity, report it to the local police department.
For Boyertown police, call 610-369-3050; Colebrookdale District police, call 610-367-5550.
Boyertown Area Unity Coalition can be reached at 610-781-1455.
Please send any comments to rerdman@berksmontnews.com.
