Everett Cemetery Gravestones Knocked Over By Vandals
EVERETT (CBS) - Six gravestones were found knocked over in a cemetery in Everett Wednesday morning.
Everett Police posted two photos of the damage in the Glenwood Cemetery on their Facebook page, looking for help finding the vandals.
They believe the headstones were knocked down "within the last 24 hours."
"It saddens me to see the destruction to the graves of our loved ones," Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria said in a statement.
"The City of Everett has made great efforts to appropriately honor those families who have lost loved ones. It has been a goal of mine to be sure that Glenwood Cemetery is a beautiful, clean, and peaceful place. We will not allow for this type of destruction and will catch those responsible for this insensitive act."
"It's just total disrespect," said Ann Petitti who was at the cemetery planting flowers at the grave sites of her two sisters and parents. "All I can think of is not caring at all about loved ones."
Police, who make patrolling the cemetery part of their routine, increased their patrols on Wednesday. City officials are promising more vigilance.
"We take a lot of pride in the cemetery. It's well kept up and a great place to visit. We'll get to the bottom of it," said Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie.
There are surveillance cameras at the cemetery entrance and police are now looking through footage for anything suspicious. The vandalism is enough that the city of considering adding more cameras.
"We're not going to take it lightly," said DeMaria. "We have good police presence in and out of the cemetery but we'll do a better job at nighttime."
The gravestones are decades old, in an area not far from a busy Everett street. Gates are locked at night, but it appears the vandals are determined.
"It's hurtful, it's your family member, a very sad situation," said Sue Briody who was visiting a family grave site.
Anyone with information should call Everett Police at 617-389-2120.