Update suspicious activity

Early this morning, Oneida County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area of Glen Road South in the City of Rome for suspicious activity. Residents there reported finding weighted Ziploc bags containing printed information about the United Northern & Southern Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. The investigation indicates the weighted Ziploc bags were left at the end of multiple driveways sometimes between 4:00am and 6:30am. Anyone having information regarding this investigation, whether personnel contact with an individual or individuals, suspicious vehicles, or home security images is asked to contact the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office at (315)736-0141. All calls will remain confidential.

“ I would like to say that I find the KKK an organization that encourages hatred and bigotry and I don’t condone this organization or anything it stands for. I believe in unity and tolerance. The KKK is against all of those things. However with that said, I have taken an oath to uphold the constitutional rights of all citizens, which however repulsive includes the KKK. The leaving of these flyers and soliciting people to join the KKK is their right. I am very sensitive to those in the community that just the mention of the KKK causes anxiety and anger, but the US Constitution protects their right to free speech. If the actions of this group turns to soliciting people to commit violent acts, or they cross the line and break the law, the Sheriff’s Office will not hesitate to file criminal charges against them”, said Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol

The Sheriff’s Office has been working with Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Police, the Rome Police, and the Mohawk Valley Crime Analysis Center regarding this incident.