Jewish and community leaders are condemning an apparent act of vandalism at the Workman’s Circle Cemetery in Melrose where a headstone and fence were knocked down and blackened by a small fire last week.

Melrose Police Chief Kevin Faller assigned the department’s civil rights officer to lead the investigation into what he called a possible hate crime. He said there will be increased patrols in the area during the investigation.

“There no place for antisemitism or identity-motivated hate in our community, and we remain vigilant against acts of hate and bias,” Mayor Jennifer Grigoratis said in a statement.

While Rabbi Jessica Lowenthal of Temple Beth Shalom in Melrose called it “terrible that such a sacred space was desecrated,” she said it was “unfortunately not surprising.”

She noted that there has been an increase in antisemitism throughout the region, including some incidents in the city’s public schools this year.

Lowenthal praised the city’s leadership for being “wonderful and responsive” and called the city “welcoming and safe.” However, she said, “we know that safety is never guaranteed.” Θ