GRRC Wants Restitution From Man Who Vandalized Area

When the Ridgewood Times reported the arrest of suspected graffiti vandal Matthew Young in October, the Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation (GRRC) felt it was time to ask for stiffer punishment for a vandal who has despoiled multiple properties in the neighborhood.

Accordingly, the GRRC and the Myrtle Avenue BID compiled a list of properties in the area carrying Young's alleged tag. Since most of the tags were on the second stories of buildings, a reputable local contractor was asked to submit written bids to clean all of these properties, as well as the Long Island Rail Road railroad trestle at Myrtle Avenue and Fresh Pond Road.

The contractor estimated that it would cost $6,500 to remove the graffiti from the 11 vandalized properties in Ridgewood and Glendale, plus $3,500 to clean the trestle, for a total of $10,000.

Accordingly, on Nov. 6, the GRRC wrote to District Attorney Richard A. Brown askingthat these facts be brought to the attention of the judge hearing the case, and that the DA's office ask the judge to order restitution for the clean up of this vandalism.

Paul Kerzner, president of the GRRC, stated, "Unless this vandal and others like him, are hit in the pocket book, they will continue to destroy our neighbors' quality of life with impunity. Community service does not seem to discourage them; financial loss might do the trick."

The GRRC urges all concerned citizens to write the District Attorney, asking that restitution be mandated for graffiti vandals. For more information, contact the GRRC at 1-718-366-8721.