A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the recent vandalism at two Belleville Cemeteries.
Almost 500 headstones at the St. James and Elmwood Cemeteries were spray painted this week.
Belleville Police say a local resident who wishes to remain anonymous has put up the money for the reward.
The investigation has been taken over by Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division with the assistance of the Forensic Identification Section.
A dedicated tip line has been also been set up.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Belleville Police Service at 613-966-0882 extension 3600.
Meanwhile, news of the vandalism has devastated many people.
Richard Beare, Secreteray-Treasurer at St. James Roman Catholic Cemetery say there has been a steady stream of people through the gates this week to see if the stones of their loved ones were damaged.
“It’s a peaceful area and to have it desecrated like this it’s very, very disturbing to myself and, talking to all the people are coming into the cemetery, a lot of people are in tears, can’t understand why anybody would ever do this.”
The vandalism was contained to sections A and G of the cemetery.
Beare says discussions to fix the stones are underway but there’s no cost estimate yet.
“What we’re hoping to do is partner with the monument companies in the area such as Campbell’s to have these stones cleaned. Want to assure everybody that the stones will be cleaned and there will be no cost to any people that own stones at the cemetery.”
A special chemical is used on the stone and then it is power washed to remove the graffiti.
It’s hoped the cleanup can be done within a few a weeks before the weather gets too cold.
