Residents of a Potter County borough have found "Neighborhood Watch" leaflets allegedly left in their yards by the Ku Klux Klan.
The notifications arrived in Coudersport, Pa., a community of 2,500 in the northwestern part of the state, over the weekend, PennLive reported.
"Are there troubles in your neighborhood? Contact the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan today," a flier inside baggies along with rocks and lollipops read.
"You can sleep tonight knowing the Klan is awake," it stated. There was a photo of a hood-covered figure and an American flag.
Rocks, lollipops & a note from the Klan: Pa. town on edge after KKK outreach hits doorsteps https://t.co/DmBWHCqWkO pic.twitter.com/sTBHZeG8ci
— PennLive.com (@PennLive) September 19, 2016
The mailbox for the 800 number included on the message is full; there was no recorded message.
In August, the National Socialist Movement of Pennsylvania, a whites-only political organization, met in Potter County.
“Our goal is to turn Pennsylvania into a stronghold of white supremacy,” National Socialist Movement of Pennsylvania leader Steve Bowers told The Era at the time.
The group is also planning to hold its Fall Political Rally on Nov. 5 at the State Capitol in Harrisburg, according to the its website.
Police said they were aware of the incident in Coudersport and they have an idea who may be responsible. Beyond a possible littering charge, there is little the police can do since the act is covered under the First Amendment, PennLive reported.
A Facebook page to "combat the advancement of white supremacist groups in our communities" has been set up.
The Southern Poverty Law Center has reported the number of hate groups in Pennsylvania rose to 40 last year from 38 the year before.
