Mayor of Clark condemns threatening, racist letter targeting Somali family

The anonymous letter, which was sent all around Clark, directly targets a house and family along Alice Lane. The letter says, Warning. It has come to our attention that the residents at the said address of Alice Lane are Somalian heritage. This means they do not live or support the American way of life and would want to change it. If trouble begins within our borders, your first return attack should be there. It was postmarked, Americans for Safety, New Jersey. It angered one neighbor in particular on Alice Lane. Gail Sweeney, who spoke at the township council meeting. This type of racism and hatred is obviously horrifically dangerous to the affected family. Sweeney then called out the council. What about you? Are you horrified? I don't know why you appear to be addressing that as if the individual's on that podium. Sent you that letter. Mayor Angel Albanese and Councilman Bill Smith both questioned Sweeney's implication that someone on the council sent the letter while adding, I've been advised that it's under investigation. Many people received the letter. I myself received that letter as well. I do not know where it came from. We also received a statement from Mayor Albanese in which she says, the township of Clark strongly condemns the hateful and threatening anonymous letter of mail to residents in our community. No one should be targeted because of their heritage or background. This behavior is unacceptable and has no place in Clark. We wanted to speak with the family out here on Alice Lane that's being targeted by this letter, but they're not home and so far haven't returned our requests for a call. I can tell you, multiple neighbors on this street are telling me they're upset, but also confused by the letter because this family is not Somali. We've also reached out to the Clark Police Department to see if they have any idea as to whom sent this letter and if that person would face criminal charges. In Clark, I'm Chris Keating, News 12 New Jersey.