Police respond to incident at synagogue
A package left in the mailbox of Congregation B’nai Abraham, 519 N. Main St., Butler, revealed drawings and writings of “someone probably having a mental health crisis,” according to the synagogue’s caretaker, Ben Vincent. Butler City Police and a bomb squad responded to the synagogue Monday evening, June 17, Vincent said.
Cantor Michal Gray-Schaffer, the synagogue’s spiritual leader, said she called police “out of an abundance of caution” after receiving a “concerning call” from someone who seemed incoherent Monday afternoon. About an hour later, a person appeared on the synagogue’s property and a package was left in the mailbox.
Gray-Schaffer said the synagogue was evacuated by police.
Vincent said he was told by authorities about 6 p.m. that the box did not contain a bomb. Nor did the writings indicate anything “hateful or antisemitic,” he said.