Park Vandalism
We are seeing an increase in vandalism in Hamilton Park.
November 18th: FoHP members had gathered in the park to decorate the gazebo and tree in preparation for our tree lighting ceremony. We hung 3 vinyl banners at the three park entrances to advertise the event. In less than 24 hours, one of the banners located at the W. Hamilton and Pavonia park entrance was slashed with a sharp object in several places. The cost of the banner was $65.00.
December 11th, 13th, 15th: FoHP members hung fliers throughout the Hamilton Park community to get the word out about our Dec. 14th public meeting. The color printed fliers were ripped down each time, almost immediately after they were hung up. On the morning of Friday Dec. 15th, a sizeable amount of fliers were discovered on the front steps of a FoHP members home. The fliers were crumpled up into balls.
While it has been brought to our attention that it may be illegal to post fliers on the telephone poles around the park, it is apparent that only select fliers are being tore down (such as the fliers put up by the Friends of Hamilton Park) as many other fliers remain on the same telephone poles for long periods of time.
December 16th: Two trees in the south garden in Hamilton park were found crooked and upon inspection it appears that the trees were forced into their crooked positions; one of the trees is broken at the base. Earlier in the year a healthy perennial clematis plant that was successfully climbing up a lamp post in the south garden was discovered lying on the ground. The plant had been torn off the pole and a Japanese maple was found with 2/3 of its branches broken off. The Japanese maple had been donated to the Friends of Hamilton Park by the 14th Street Garden Center.
December 17th: The tree lights that FoHP members used to decorate the tree for the holiday season were found cut and some strings of lights were pulled down. The tree lights were donated to the Friends of Hamilton Park by The Home Depot.
The recent incidents have been reported to the Jersey City police and we are asking neighborhood residents to please report any witnessed incidents of vandalism to us, as well as the Jersey City police.
