UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A cash reward for information leading to arrests and convictions in an anti-Semitic vandalism case involving a Penn State fraternity has been increased to $5,000.
The alumni chapter of Beta Sigma Beta Fraternity announced Nov. 13 that it will be contributing to the $1,000 already being offered by State College Borough Police, bringing the total reward to $5,000. Last week, the predominately Jewish fraternity was the target of anti-Semitic slogans and swastikas spray-painted on a dozen cars in the 400 and 500 blocks of Berry Alley outside their fraternity house in State College.
Jeffrey Licht, a 1981 Penn State graduate and president of the Beta Alumni Association, issued a statement: “While predominately a Jewish house, we have brothers worthy of being a Beta Sig based on merit versus religion or race. Our undergraduates and alumni are disgusted by the recent hate crimes committed against our property and our brothers' cars.”
Anyone with information can contact the borough police at 814-234-7150 or submit an anonymous tip at http://www.statecollegepa.us/police.
Earlier this week, the University administration condemned the crime, stating “Hateful behavior that feeds anxiety and division among us simply must not stand.” The letter, which can be found at http://news.psu.edu/story/295050/2013/11/12/administration/administration-responds-anti-semitic-vandalism, is signed by University President Rodney Erickson, Provost Nick Jones, Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims and Vice Provost for Educational Equity Terrell Jones.