TAGGED AT HOME

In the aftermath of a spree of vandalism that marred more than a dozen residential properties in Ridgewood's historic district, the Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation responded last Thursday morning, Sept. 4 by having workers remove the vandal's alleged tag from 15 buildings along both sides of 69th Avenue between Forest Avenue and 60th Street. Shown looking on at left is GRRC President Paul Kerzner. (photo: Bill Mitchell) Numerous residents along 69th Avenue in Ridgewood awoke last Wednesday morning, Sept. 3 to find their homes branded with graffiti drawn by a vandal who remains at large, it was reported.

Representatives of the Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation stated that the vandalism was discovered on 15 two-family homes along the residential block between Forest Avenue and 60th Street.

Joann Schauer, administrative assistant for the GRRC, noted that the tag, scrawled in black spray paint, was marked on the front part of the first floor of each structure within gated areas.

She noted that the vandalism was equally distributed along with the block, with eight homes one on side of the street tagged and seven others on the opposite side.

The same tag was also discovered later that day on two homes along Palmetto Street near Fresh Pond Road, added GRRC President Paul Kerzner.

"This is probably the most egregious amount of vandalism that we've seen in any one time," he told the Times Newsweekly.

Members of the 104th Precinct responded to the scene after receiving calls of the incident.

As of press time, law enforcement sources said, no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

Once the vandalism was report- GRRC began an effort to remove the vandalism, Kerzner said. The following morning, crews were observed power-washing the tags off of affected homes along 69th Avenue.

Schauer added that property owners may submit a waiver to the GRRC to allow the organization to remove graffiti from their homes for a fee.

For more information, call GRRC at 1-718-366-8721 or visit their website, www.ridgewoodrestoration.org.

Anyone with any information regarding the vandalism that could prove helpful is asked to call the 104th Precinct Detective Squad at 1-718-386-2735.

All calls will be kept confidential.