On Saturday night, four people were arrested for spray-painting on the murals and pillars of Bethesda Terrace arcade in Central Park. The Post reports, "David Gonzalez Jr., 20, Aisha Calow, 18, Victoria Deniaminova, 16, and Sabrina Santiago, 16, were charged with misdemeanors for allegedly scrawling '3D' and 'U not ready' in purple and black on wall murals and sandstone pillars." According to the NYPD, a passer-by alerted two police officers that the group was tagging the arcade.
We went to Bethesda Terrace to look at the damage, and it's pretty horrible. The Bethesda Terrace arcade was restored two years ago, with its Minton tile ceiling put back. Central Park Conservancy workers (the Conservancy is responsible for the park's care, under contract with the Parks Department) were on the scene, examining the defacement.
A CPC spokesperson Kate Sheleg told us, "Once the active criminal investigation has been completed, the Conservancy is poised to begin the restoration process." (The Post's article estimated the damage at $50,000-100,000.) We mentioned that we couldn't recall another instance like this in recent memory, and Sheleg explained, "We do experience graffiti in the Park, but with our policy of removing it within 24 hours, it's rarely visible to the average Park user. This is one of the highest profile acts in recent years because of its location at Bethesda Terrace."
The Central Park Conservancy is a non-profit organization, which raises 85% of park's $24 million. With charitable giving likely to take a hit with the economic downturn, Sheleg said, "A healthy Central Park is crucial to the health and well being of the 25 million annual visitors to the Park... Contributions ensure we can continue our mission, which is more important that ever." You can donate to the CPC here.
