Gravestones Vandalized at Hamden Jewish Cemetery

Vandals did thousands of dollars in damage this week to a Hamden Jewish cemetery, according to police.

On Monday,  the damage was discovered to about 30 graves at Congregation Beth el Keser Memorial Park Cemetery at 55 Warner St., according to Hamden Police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith.

"It was determined that approximately 30 gravestones had been knocked over. The damage to the gravestones is estimated at $5,000," Smith said in a release Thursday. "Cemetery officials stated that “special machinery” will be needed to fix the damage."

Officer Derick Manning met with members of the Jewish Cemetery Association of Greater New Haven, who reported the damage.

The Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel Cemetery Association operates two cemeteries, the Beth El Memorial Park on Warner Street in Hamden and the Keser Israel Memorial Park on Farwell Street in West Haven, according to its website.

By Thursday, the graves at the cemetery off Arch Street near Southern Connecticut State University had been restored using heavy equipment, Smith said. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Manning at 203-230-4000.