Sign by mosque: "Bomb making, next driveway"

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - It's a stark message in front of a house neighboring a mosque in east Amherst. The sign reads: "Bomb making, next driveway."

There are 13 mosques in Niagara and Erie Counties. The mosque in east Amherst was constructed with relatively little protest, until today, when a resident who lives a couple doors down put up a sign saying how he really feels.

Motorists often zip by, not noticing Amherst's newest mosque with crescent moons atop the domes and towers. But the mosque's closest neighbor knows it's there, and planted a stenciled sign that says, "Bomb making, next driveway." The next driveway if the Jaffari Islamic Community Center. Patrick Chapin noticed the sign on the way to the dentist, which is across the street.

Chapin said, "Pretty radical. Inappropriate. It's just going to cause more problems and ill feelings."

There was no answer at the homeowner's door. Dentist Dr. John Athans believes it was put up this past weekend.

"To me, when I see that sign, it just seems as though it's more frustration with the town planning board as far as had he known that, maybe he wouldn't have bought the house," said Dr. Athans.

While the new mosque created little stir when being built, its closest neighbor reportedly had several issues with the building, including lighting and the fact it was built too close to his home. Amherst Town Supervisor Dr. Barry Weinstein was well aware of the issue.

"It is inappropriate, but it is the resident's free speech prerogative to put up a sign and it's the same free speech that we all hold so dearly," said Dr. Weinstein.

Representatives from the mosque said by phone that they've tried to be a thoughtful neighbor, carefully building everything to code. The town planning department hasn't found any violations, and say the lighting was built according to code. Amherst Police are now looking into the matter.

Dr. Athans said, "It's a little risky, I think. Maybe it shows how frustrated the homeowner is."

We are still waiting to hear from the homeowner.