Investigation Into Destroyed Morristown Church Sign Continues

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Officials have launched an investigation to determine whether vandalism against a Morristown church welcome sign was motivated by bias.

Last week, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office announced that they are conducting "an active and ongoing investigation" with Morristown police into the weekend vandalism of a welcome sign at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer.

The sign, which welcomes people of all genders, races and political beliefs, was broken in two after the church erected a series of flags in Gay Pride colors on Friday evening.

According to a statement from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, a member of the Church of the Redeemer in Morristown discovered the damage on the morning of May 20 and reported it to the police.

The sign was near a series of rainbow flags that were set up outside the building on May 19, according to Rev. Cynthia Black, rector of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer.

In response to the destruction of the Church of the Redeemer's sign, the Morristown Bureau of Police's Investigative Unit has asked the community for information on a rowdy and destructive group walking east on South Street in the early morning of May 20.

According to police, some members of this group were seen hitting and/or damaging multiple signs around town before entering two vehicles parked on Dumont Place.

Anyone with information on any of the individuals in this group, or who can specifically identify the individuals listed, is asked to call the Morristown Bureau of Police at 973-538-2200 or Crimestoppers at 973-COP-CALL.

Information reported to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest can earn you up to a $1,000 cash reward, and you will remain completely anonymous.

"It is unfortunate that someone would damage the sign of a church whose congregation has done so much for this community. Our office intends to fully investigate whether or not this was an act of bias conduct," Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said.

The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer is now accepting donations to replace the vandalized welcome sign because the church's insurance is unlikely to cover the cost of repairs.

According to Black, the total cost of replacing the sign, which was installed in 2016, is $15,050.