Hellcat
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SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) - An arsonist attempted to set fire to a Jewish organization, police said.- A customer at a nearby 7-11 saw smoke at Santa Cruz Hillel early Saturday morning, said Rabbi Shalom Bochner.
A clerk doused the fire, which police said was started when someone shoved burning materials through the building's mail slot.
The fire caused minor damage to carpet and furniture inside the building, Bochner said, but the quick work to extinguish it saved computer equipment and a library including Torah scrolls.
"I think it's safe to say this is a peaceful community, which is one of the reasons this attempted arson is so shocking," Bochner said. "But w
don't know what the motivation is."
Police were investigating the incident, but have not labeled it a hate crime.
"We are taking great care with it, with the understanding it co
uld very easily be a hate crime," police Sgt. Mike Pruger said.
The Hillel
organization has not had hate crimes against it in the past, except for four years ago, when a swastika was etched into the center's door.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews...7376mercurynews
A clerk doused the fire, which police said was started when someone shoved burning materials through the building's mail slot.
The fire caused minor damage to carpet and furniture inside the building, Bochner said, but the quick work to extinguish it saved computer equipment and a library including Torah scrolls.
"I think it's safe to say this is a peaceful community, which is one of the reasons this attempted arson is so shocking," Bochner said. "But w
don't know what the motivation is."
Police were investigating the incident, but have not labeled it a hate crime.
"We are taking great care with it, with the understanding it co
uld very easily be a hate crime," police Sgt. Mike Pruger said.
The Hillel
organization has not had hate crimes against it in the past, except for four years ago, when a swastika was etched into the center's door.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews...7376mercurynews