Last Wednesday, some of our Muslim community members awakened to threatening notes left on the ground near their residences in the Westbrook Pointe complex. With the first note being found, the word spread quickly, causing intense fear among some of our Muslim neighbors, throughout the city and beyond.

As word reached the Westbrook Police Department, officers responded to the neighborhood and located two of the notes. The ensuing investigation has revealed that there are at least four confirmed notes stating: “All Muslims are Terrorists should be Killed.” These notes are typewritten on hand-cut strips of paper approximately 1.5-2 inches in width. The investigation continues with no firm leads at this time. Westbrook Police ask anyone with information related to the incident contact them at 854-2531.

The day following the discovery of the notes, the Westbrook Police Department, along with other city leaders and elected officials, met with our Muslim community members to discuss this incident, strategize how we can best work together to protect this segment of our community during their time of crisis, and explore opportunities on how to further the conversation to a broader audience on proactively integrating and accepting all of the many cultures living in our city.

During the meeting where roughly 50 of our Muslim community members attended, we learned the reasons behind the intense level of fear they are experiencing from what others may see as an annoying prank. In Iraq, horrific, violent, deadly attacks on family members, neighbors, and friends, were often preceded by a written threat. The level of trauma these atrocities has caused, and is still impacting, our local Muslim residents is unimaginable. Add the terrorizing statement found in one of their neighborhoods on Wednesday, and it is causing many Muslims to live in fear that a deadly attack will happen.

The stories, information, statements of support and understanding, along with ideas of how to work together, that were shared throughout the conversation left many leaving the meeting with a new focused sense of purpose. The biggest take-aways from the conversation include: this incident is an isolated incident and does not reflect the attitude of our city’s population; we are a welcoming community that cares for all; and, there is a new invigorating infusion of energy that will help us in our efforts to bring our community together to face, and defeat, adversity going forward.

Janine L. Roberts is the chief of the Westbrook Police Department.