'We have 13 active cameras': Graffiti vandalism at Bicentennial Park sparks investigation

Jo C. Goode, The Herald News
·2 min read
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FALL RIVER — Bicentennial Park is a beloved site for veterans and families to visit and reflect on lost loved ones and friends, but sometime Sunday or Monday, an unwelcome visitor with a can of black spray paint vandalized the park that honors generations of veterans.

Bicentennial Park features several war memorials including replicas of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and the Iwo Jima monument. Now the overseers of the park want anyone looking to deface it again to know that friends of the park, the police and more than a dozen surveillance cameras are watching.

According to Fall River Police Department public information officer Sgt. Moses Pereira, the vandalism that occurred at Bicentennial Park sometime late Sunday or early Monday is currently under investigation by members of the Major Crimes Division.

Joe Marshall, president of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall Committee, said he was notified about the vandalism after a frequent visitor to the park noticed the black spray-painted graffiti under a bench in front of the memorial wall and near the Agent Orange Memorial on Monday morning.

Bruce Aldrich, commandant of the Marine Corps League, points out security cameras at Bicentennial Park in Fall River following an incident of graffiti vandalism.
Bruce Aldrich, commandant of the Marine Corps League, points out security cameras at Bicentennial Park in Fall River following an incident of graffiti vandalism.

Marshall said he contacted Fall River Police Chief Paul Gauvin regarding the vandalism and provided the recorded surveillance footage.

In addition to a police investigation, Marshall said Gauvin arranged with the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department to provide their graffiti cleaning machine to remove the graffiti.

The graffiti at Bicentennial Park is under investigation.
The graffiti at Bicentennial Park is under investigation.

Marshall said those who use, love and respect Bicentennial Park don’t want to see this type of defacing again.

Another incident of vandalism: Fall River's Iwo Jima memorial damaged by vandals

“We have 13 active cameras, and the park is designated as one of the police sectors so there are frequent patrols,” said Marshall. “But more importantly, we have what I call friends of the park who use the park for the purpose it was intended. They’re walking in the park, running in the park and visiting the monuments. They are there all the time.”

Police ask that anyone with information regarding this incident contact Detective Luis Vertentes at 508-676-8511 ext. 260.

Jo C. Goode may be reached at jgoode@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism and subscribe to The Herald News today!

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Graffiti vandalism at Bicentennial Park sparks police investigation