Vandals Cut Down Flagpole at 9/11 Memorial

In New York, police have launched an investigation following an incident wherein a flagpole was cut down by vandals. The flagpole is at a memorial that honors five firefighters who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Times Herald-Record reported that the severed pole was discovered and reported on Wednesday morning. “Washingtonville Police Chief Brian Zaccaro said the culprits used a tool to cut through the composite material at about four to five feet from the base, and scrawled a message in marker on the part of the pole that remained standing,” said the report.

Police suspect that the vandals also pushed over and destroyed the sign for St. Mary's Parish Center.

“These two locations mean so much to Washingtonville and the larger community,” New York State Assemblyman Colin Schmitt said in a press release.

The memorial has a semi-circle of black granite monuments showing the names of five local victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks. They are members of the New York City Fire Department, including firefighters Mark Whitford, Bobby Hamilton and Gerry Nevins. It also includes Batallion Chief Dennis Devlin and Lt. Glenn Perry.

According to Washingtonville Mayor Joseph Bucco, the village will replace the damaged flagpole. There is a $3,000 reward for information on the incident and the suspects.

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