Police Investigate Incidents of Vandalism and Threats Against Local Republicans

The Erie County Sheriff's Department is now investigating threats and acts of vandalism against local Republican leaders and a local military recruiting office. <!--break--> By Ron Plants Rocks and bricks were thrown to shatter plate glass windows at the GOP Party Headquarters on Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo. A window was also shattered at the Armed Forces Recruiting Office on Sheridan in the town of Tonawanda and the lock to a back door was broken. Police say there have also been threatening phone calls to some unspecified party officials at their homes. Now a letter sent to a media outlet by a quote "Concerned Citizens" group claims responsibility for the attacks on the downtown GOP headquarters and the recruiters office. The letter mentions various electoral issues like the wars in the Middle East, the Patriot Act, healthcare, and job outsourcing. It also states quote "We are the victims of this war, a war brought to us Concerned Citizens by the Republican administration." The letter goes on to warn that "We encourage more people to raise their level of resistance and attack the ones who are sending us to our deaths." The FBI has been asked to assist the investigation. Police say there could be charges ranging from harassment and criminal mischief to hate crimes if they determine who is responsible.

<p>The Erie County Sheriff's Department is now investigating threats and acts of vandalism against local Republican leaders and a local military recruiting office.</p> <!--break--><p>By Ron Plants</p> <p>Rocks and bricks were thrown to shatter plate glass windows at the GOP Party Headquarters on Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo. A window was also shattered at the Armed Forces Recruiting Office on Sheridan in the town of Tonawanda and the lock to a back door was broken. </p> <p>Police say there have also been threatening phone calls to some unspecified party officials at their homes. </p> <p>Now a letter sent to a media outlet by a quote "Concerned Citizens" group claims responsibility for the attacks on the downtown GOP headquarters and the recruiters office. </p> <p>The letter mentions various electoral issues like the wars in the Middle East, the Patriot Act, healthcare, and job outsourcing. It also states<br /> quote "We are the victims of this war, a war brought to us Concerned Citizens by the Republican administration." </p> <p>The letter goes on to warn that "We encourage more people to raise their level of resistance and attack the ones who are sending us to our deaths." </p> <p>The FBI has been asked to assist the investigation. Police say there could be charges ranging from harassment and criminal mischief to<br /> hate crimes if they determine who is responsible.</p>