Jewish cemetery in St. Paul targeted by vandals

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Workers were cleaning up this week after vandals knocked down more than 30 grave markers at a Jewish cemetery in St. Paul.

Police say they were called out for the vandalism that happened at some point overnight Wednesday into Thursday at the Chesed Shel Emes Cemetery on Christie Place.

In a statement to FOX 9, cemetery chairman Ken Otto said: "You put your heart and your soul into it and you see that somebody just does stupid stuff like this. These people didn’t do nothing to nobody. They’re dead."

Otto also said he suspects "children up to no good" may be responsible for the vandalism.

Officers say the investigation is ongoing, but due to recent concerns, they have increased patrols near synagogues and other Jewish community centers.

The vandalism comes as a St. Louis Park synagogue closed on Friday and Saturday due to threats made against it.