Pittsburgh police are investigating several incidents of what they call “harassment and intimidation” in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood and have notified the FBI.
Detectives are looking for individuals who allegedly defaced yard signs with “political and anti-national” messages on an undisclosed property in Shadyside, according to the city’s public safety blotter. A bag of rice was also thrown onto the property with “similar sentiments” written on the bag, police said.
Police didn’t immediately respond to requests to elaborate on the alleged harassment and explain what “anti-national” means.
The neighbor has been subjected to coarse language and threats shouted at him, according to police.
Tribune-Review news partner WPXI spoke with a homeowner Vasily Potanin, who said he has been harassed because of his “conservative-learning belief.” One of his yards signs is critical of President Joe Biden. Another has a picture of former president Donald Trump with the words, “Miss me yet?”
“Everyone puts their signs up and it’s all fun and games,” he told the television station.
Potanin, who is a Russian native, said the war in Ukraine increased the neighborhood tension.
“People assume because of my nationality, I must agree with everything Putin does,” Potanin told WPXI. “Therefore, I must support him and I’m his spy, I work for him. Their logic is convoluted.”
Pittsburgh Police are requesting that anyone with information call Zone 4 plainclothes detectives at (412) 422-6520.
