Two ongoing woes at cemeteries: vandalism and neglect

I could post for hours on end about the problem of vandalism at cemeteries. We know that, at the very least, it causes extra work to right the wrong, and, beyond that are the police and judicial man-hours to bring the perpetrators to justice (negative externalities, as these things are called in geographic terms). Still, it's worthwhile to post an occasional reminder that this is an ongoing problem. Here are two cases in my neck of the woods: one at a Jewish cemetery in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, and the other in Camden.

Meanwhile, in Memphis, Tennessee, visitors are shocked and dismayed at the poor condition of the Hollywood Cemetery

Vandals strike Massachusetts cemetery

I could probably most a story about this kind of crime most days, but I restrain myself. But every so often, I need to put out a reminder of the destruction: More than 100 headstones were toppled by vandals over Fourth of July weekend in a cemetery in Lynn, Mass.

Teen vandals get community service

Four teens who vandalized a Jewish cemetery in January were ordered to perform community service as part of their sentence.

  How's this for a thought? Why not have them perform that community service by cleaning up cemeteries?

Vandalism update: Versailles, Kentucky

Authorities say they are pursuing several leads in the case of 150 headstones that were toppled at the Versailles Cemetery in Kentucky. They also say they are increasing the reward from $2,000 to $5,000 in the incident, which caused $100,000 in damage.

More vandalism: Kentucky, South Carolina

Here are some more links to the Versailles Cemetery vandalism, in which about 150 headstones were knocked over:
The Herald-Leader
WZTV, a Fox affiliate

And here is a smaller incident from Seneca, South Carolina:

One reminder: I mean no disrespect to those incidents that don't make this blog. I take all vandalism incidents seriously, but sometimes I just cannot get them all listed here. Each of these crimes takes away valuable law-enforcement, judicial and community activity resources, not good in these economically challenging times.

Vandalism: $100,000 in damage in Georgia; 150 headstones toppled in Kentucky

A historic cemtery in Coweta County, Ga., with graves dating to the 1800s, was vandalized to the tune of $100,000, authorities say.

Investigator Elaine Jordan said authorities found an estimated 50 graves,
about one-third of [Tranquil Cemetery], desecrated.

In Woodford County, Kentucky, about 150 headstones were knocked over at
the Versailles Cemetery.

Thanks -- and can you help?

Here's a thank-you from cemetery officials in Modesto, Calif., for all those who helped after a massive act of vandalism at the Pioneer Cemetery, where 80 headstones were toppled.
Here's something worthy of thanks: A Boy Scout in Cape May County, N.J., worked to restore an old cemetery and tried to make it vandal-proof.
And here is a request for help from Berlin, Conn., specifically serving in an unpaid position on a cemetery board.

Vandalism roundup

Frankly, it's impossible to keep up with all the cases, but when I can, I'll report on them here, especially some of the larger instances, such as the one on Modesto, where 80 headstones were toppled.
Here are a couple more cases:
> 42 headstones toppled in El Paso cemetery.
> Morgan County, Alabama.
> Teens punished for Sumner, Washington, vandalism, including $170,000 in restitution.
What do these cases have to do with land use? Perhaps nothing directly, but they put added stress on already-stretched government, law-enforcement and judicial resources, along with those who operate cemeteries. These crimes also have a negative impact on quality-of-life issues. All of these factors affect overall community living standards.

Headstones toppled in Modesto cemetery

Vandals toppled 80 headstones at Modesto Cemetery, which officials say will cost up to $50,000 to repair