WEST MILFORD — The sign that caused an uproar is gone. But the issues surrounding it are far from over.
Police confirm that the sign depicting the nativity as a myth and placed on township property as part of the holiday display was either vandalized or ripped apart by the wind and then taken from the property. Late yesterday morning, however, they said the sign had been removed on Monday by a maintenance worker at the town hall.
Lt. John Matarese told the West Milford Messenger that the sign was reported vandalized on Sunday, Dec. 23, just one week after it was placed near the Christmas tree, menorah and creche in front of the town hall. Gary Steele, the resident who applied for and received the permit to place the sign on the property, came into the police station to file a police report. Matarese said it was not clear how the sign was damaged - either by the wind or an intentional act.
“We have no evidence at this point that it was an intentional act,” said Matarese.
He said the vinyl had no vents in it to let wind through and prevent tears.
Matarese characterized the missing sign as a theft, later saying it was a miscommunication. He said a maintenance worker at the town hall saw the damaged sign on Monday and brought it in to the rear of police headquarters. Tuesday was the Christmas holiday and Matarese said his department was notified of the sign’s whereabouts sometime Wednesday. He himself did not have that information until Thursday morning.
Wind or vandalism
Last weekend the winds were strong. According to weather.com, on Saturday, the wind speed was 17 miles per hour gusting to 33 miles per hour. On Sunday, the wind was 15 miles per hour, gusting to 24.
Steele disagreed with Matarese that wind could have ripped the sign. Steele said the sign was obviously sliced and moved to another part of the lawn. Saturday was the windier day and the sign didn’t rip, he said.
According to Steele, he received several calls from residents Sunday morning letting him know that the sign was no longer intact.
Matarese said the officer on duty noted that the edges were jagged, indicating to her it had been torn rather than cut. Surveillance video at town hall, he said, was inconclusive.
And then it was gone
Earlier this month, the township council agreed to allow faith-based items to be erected as part of the township holiday display. This came after the request by Rabbi Mendy Gurkov with the Chabad of Northern Passaic County, who asked that he be allowed to put up a nine-foot menorah in celebration of Hanukkah. The council discussed the matter three times, finally agreeing to allow displays. After the menorah was displayed, the township received permit requests for a creche and the sign, which was provided by the American Atheists Organization.
Last week, several residents went to the council meeting and complained that the sign should not be displayed with the holiday displays, noting,the sign was not in celebration of any religious holiday, rather it mocked Christians and their beliefs. Even council members expressed their displeasure with the sign. But it did meet the legal criteria to be included in the holiday display.
“I am encouraging an investigation because I think it’s serious. At this point, I think it is a police matter,” said Steele.
Matarese said that unless someone comes to them with any evidence to the contrary, they will consider it an accident.
“Barring someone coming forward, that’s all we have," Matarese said.
Anyone with information about how the sign was damaged is encouraged to call police at 973-728-2800.
It just doesn't add up to Steele.
“It’s a stain on West Milford that individuals took it upon themselves to vandalize the sign. It’s a stain.”