San Francisco's AIDS Memorial Grove Vandalized For The Fifth Time This Year
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— For the fifth time this year, the AIDS Memorial Grove in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park has been vandalized.
This this time about $25,000 of damage was done to trees, planters and benches. Sarah Ballard San Francisco Recreation and Park's Department says the latest incident occurred Monday evening or Tuesday morning.
"There were branches lopped off, planters smashed, benches smashed, a variety of different acts of vandalism against property and against living plants," she said.
San Francisco's AIDS Memorial Grove Vandalized For The Fifth Time This Year
The AIDS Memorial Grove was conceived over 25 years ago at the peak of the epidemic to give people a quiet peaceful place to reflect and remember those who died from AIDS.
It's been anything but peaceful this year with five separate acts of vandalism all of which seem very similar. Rec and Park suspect the same person or group is responsible.
"It's pretty disgusting that anyone would want to vandalize the AIDS Memorial Grove. This is a sacred sight for our community," said Supervisor Scott Wiener who has criticized Rec and Park for a lack of security measures.
There are no surveillance cameras at the AIDS Memorial Grove. Ballard said installing them presents both logistical and policy problems. Wiener said security should be stepped up with more park patrols.
