Anti-Semitic graffiti reported in Chicago ward

An alderwoman on Chicago's North Side says police have stepped up patrols and are investigating instances of reportedly anti-Semitic graffiti.

Alderwoman Debra Silverstein issued a statement Monday saying that Congregation Atereth Yehoshua was hit with graffiti during Sunday's early morning hours. She says police located instances of graffiti on the synagogue and on 30 nearby residential garages in and near Silverstein's 50th Ward.

Silverstein says the Chicago Police Department's Hate Crimes Unit is investigating. Police have deployed additional officers to the area and are patrolling overnight. A city "blasters" unit has removed all the known graffiti.

Police say some instances included disparaging remarks toward Jews.