NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Field of Flags in Niagara Falls has been cleaned up after vandals caused $1,500 worth of damage there earlier this week.
The memorial site is located in Hyde Park on Robbins Drive
According to the person who manages the site, 18 large flags were damaged. That's on top of 30 small flags which had already been stolen over the past week.
Kenny Tompkins says each flag represents veterans and first responders who have died. "It's heartbreaking. You know what I mean? To have them disrespected like that really bothers me," said Tompkins.
Tompkins tells 2 On Your Side that there was no issue for the 7 weeks the flags were on display last year.
"We had no issues with them whatsoever," Tompkins said. "This year, they're up one week, and 18 of the bigger flags were vandalized."
About 30 small flags were also damaged.
This is not the first time a memorial for veterans has been vandalized in Hyde Park.
In July 2022, granite benches that honor Niagara Falls veterans were damaged. The person who vandalized the benches was never identified or charged.
"It's just sad," said Ron Cirrito, "Very sad to see that some people don't understand what this stands for."
Cirrito is a retired Niagara Falls police officer and commissioner for the Niagara Falls Veterans Memorial Commission.
Cirrito says that additional lighting will be installed in that area of Hyde Park
"We're also getting some pretty high tech camera surveillance that will feed right to the police station," Cirrito said.
According to the police report, a witness says a person was walking down the rows of flags and damaging the flags and poles.
Niagara Falls Police say 25-year-old Chase Wilson has been arrested and charged with criminal mischief in the 2nd degree, a class d felony.
Wilson pleaded not guilty in Niagara Falls city court Friday.