Up to $10,000 From NYPD Crime Stoppers and Up to $5,000 From Mayor Adams Will Be Awarded for Information Leading to an Arrest and Conviction
New York – New York City Mayor Eric Adams was today joined by officials from the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (NYC DVS), New York City Police Department (NYPD), New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks), and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) to condemn the recent vandalism of the 107th Infantry Memorial in Central Park and offer a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Up to $10,000 will be awarded by NYPD Crime Stoppers, with an additional amount of up to $5,000 put up with Mayor Adams’ personal money.
“I love this city and this country,” said Mayor Adams. “It is painful to see a memorial to bravery being vandalized by cowards in the name of protest – one of the very freedoms those enshrined in this memorial died to protect. I will not stand by while people desecrate memorials to those who fought for democracy and human rights, or disrespect the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who have served their country.”
“The statue that was defaced in Central Park last night holds the memory of a generation of WWI soldiers – sentinels who were lost defending the freedoms that we as Americans hold dear,” said NYC DVS Commissioner James Hendon. “Men and women fought so that Americans could speak out without fear of reprisal from their government, leaving their loved ones behind to join a cause greater than themselves. We must endeavor to respect and honor their legacy, understanding that the cost of war is too great for us to forget the sacrifices of our fallen. It is a commitment that that transcends life itself.”
“Defacing a monument honoring the service of Americans is beyond the pale,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “The vulgarity demonstrated by those responsible for these acts reflects more on them than it does the people they are attempting to denigrate.”
“Our city’s public monuments honor our heroes and our heritage, and defacing them will not be tolerated,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “NYC Parks is proud to be home to the city’s largest outdoor museum and we’re thankful to our staff and our partners at the Central Park Conservancy for acting quickly to keep these treasured amenities looking their best so we can continue to honor them for generations to come.”
“I’m saddened by the desecration of a hallowed memorial honoring the legacy of great American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” said NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol. “The 107th United States Infantry memorializes soldiers who died in World War I. Last night’s acts were heinous and will not be tolerated in New York City. Our city’s veterans are one of our greatest assets and we will always support and honor them.”
Last night, hundreds of protestors gathered on the Upper East Side, which resulted in more than two dozen arrests, along with numerous desk appearance tickets and summonses for disorderly conduct. In addition to the vandalism of the 107th Infantry Memorial, protestors also vandalized the monument honoring Union Army General William Tecumseh Sherman at Grand Army Plaza in Manhattan. NYC Parks is currently working with the Central Park Conservancy to immediately finish cleaning the memorials.
New Yorkers who have information regarding a crime committed or a wanted person can:
- Call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 800-577-TIPS
- Submit an internet tip
- Download the Crime Stoppers Mobile App
The Crime Stoppers Program offers rewards for anonymous information provided to the 800-577-TIPS hotline that leads to the arrest and indictment of a violent felon. This public/private partnership between the NYPD and the New York City Police Foundation has been an invaluable crime-fighting tool since the program’s inception in 1983. Calls to Crime Stoppers have helped solve more than 5,300 violent crimes, including over 1,400 murders and attempted murders. Over $2 million in rewards have been approved to 800-577-TIPS callers.
May 7, 2024 New York City Hall
Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st9LbnLERNQ
Sources: Midtown Tribune news – NYC.gov
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