Police say someone tried to set fire to the Muslim Community Center in North Portland Tuesday evening.
The attempt was unsuccessful and caused only minor damage. But police released a surveillance video and are asking the public for help finding the person who did it.
Surveillance video of an attempted arson at the Muslim Community Center of Portland, May 3, 2022.
PPB handout / Portland Police Bureau
The Oregon chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has condemned the act and called for community members to check on their neighbors.
Police believe the same suspect broke a large window at the Congregation Shir Tikvah/Eastside Jewish Commons in Northeast Portland on April 30.
On May 2, someone spray-painted hate speech on Portland’s Congregation Beth Israel synagogue set fire to its exterior doors. The fire there also caused minor damage. Investigators said there’s no indication so far that the two arson incidents are connected.
Related: Northwest Portland synagogue reports antisemitic vandalism
Portland police Sgt. Kevin Allen said the bureau hasn’t documented a new trend in vandalism like this in the city, aside from the three incidents.
”Whether they’re isolated incidents or part of a larger trend, we are disturbed and concerned by them,” Allen said. “The detectives are investigating actively and hope the community can help them determine who was responsible so arrests can be made.”
In each of the attempted arson cases, Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 dollar reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information that might assist in the investigation can submit an anonymous tip here.