Green-Wood Cemetery Vandalized

We are sad to report that Green-Wood Cemetery has been vandalized. Here is this account from the cemetery blog by historian Jeff Richman:

Tuesday morning started out like any other summer day at Green-Wood. About 90 men and women who work on the cemetery grounds reported for work and headed out to mow the lawns, trim the grass, and weed the gardens. But, something was not right, as Ken Nielsen, acting foreman of the south zone, discovered. And worker after worker soon learned the sad truth: a very sick individual, or individuals, had vandalized 43 memorials and monuments of the dead.

He went on to say that cemetery vandalism is common, but not at Green-Wood, which has a high fence surrounding its 478 acres, a 24-hour car patrol and video cameras throughout. “But, sadly, no cemetery security system is a guarantee against vandalism,” he wrote. The damage is estimated to be “well in excess of $100,000.” Cameras did capture one individual suspected to be involved, and hopefully an arrest or arrests will be made soon. Finally, concluded Richman, “I have been visiting Green-Wood since 1986, and, while I recall some incidents of vandalism, I cannot remember anything on this scale or close to it. Gravestones were pushed over and shattered.” Thanks to The Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights blog, which alerted us to the incident.
Photo by Green-Wood Discovery