MOUNT VERNON — Vandals knocked over or broke 23 tombstones in Mound View Cemetery over the weekend, according to the Mount Vernon Police.
Cemetery Foreman Deb Briscoe said the vandalism occurred in three separate areas of the cemetery containing some of the older monuments on the property.
“It’s not common, but it happens,” said Briscoe. “It happens to various degrees. One year we had 50 stones knocked over. Other cemeteries [in the area] have all reported similar vandalism over the years.”
Briscoe, who has headed the cemetery since 1983, said that most memorials on the property are not insured for the damage.
“What it amounts to,” said Briscoe, “is if they’re broken we try to glue them back together or if they’re toppled, we just stand them back up. We do not replace monuments. We just make the best repairs that we can.”
Briscoe added that it was rare for anyone to get caught for the crime.
“Most often the crimes occur at night and it’s rare if anyone sees it. We find beer and wine bottle up here all the time,” she said.
Although security precautions are taken around the cemetery, it is still possible to enter the grounds at night.
“People do have the right to come and visit their loved ones,” said Briscoe.
Mount Vernon Police Chief Mike Merrilees was unable to be reached for comment.
