Central Park's Bethesda Terrace Vandalized

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.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on February 2, 2009 6:51 PM

Comments [rss]

laurinda

This is really a shame. A great disappointment.

But...where is the support system for these young people? The parents, the mentors, someone to keep them on the straight and narrow?

Central Park Conservancy supports a beautiful resource for all of us, but what about the supports that's needed for our most important future resource - young people and students...before they ruin their lives and deface our prized public spaces.

I doubt they would have done this if they had been involved in groups like Publicolor - where they'd really learn how to express themselves through painting, color and a useful money-making skill (commercial painting)

www.publicolor.org - check it out

ironybubble

This is an act of sheer adolescent idiocy that should not be confused with legitimate street art. I'm glad that at least two of the people who did this are old enough that the financial and criminal ramifications will have an impact on their lives and hopefully teach them and everyone who hears about this not to do something comparably moronic.

Will

Why dont we grab these kids and break all their limbs? Kinda makes it harder to spray that shit why your shoulder is dislocated no?

Kris

I had my wedding photos there! They should make those miscreants clean the mess they made, then after that beat them publicly right there in the terrace! I was sick to my stomach seeing thee photos of what they did.

My husband first showed BT to me on a date to Central Park promising I would love it, he was right. We spent many a lazy Saturday summer day stretched out on the grasses people watching. It is my favorite place in the entire city, and I always bring OOT friends there to show them how beautiful NYC can be.

dragnet

are the russians (assuming Victoria is a Russian) the new ghetto, now?

DET

As of today, all four have been charged with felonies. The DA acquiesced to the requests of the police and the Conservancy.

Jen Chung

Thanks for the update, DET.

Think2wice

God I hope they can get that crap off the walls.

lulujaja

What creeps! We don't need that trash in this city. Get rid of them-- ship them elsewhere.

spiritross

Yeah I mean this is just tags, pretty gutsy of these kids to do it there, pretty stupid too, I would bet they didn't even realize people would care so much, they thought it was just some hall not anything special.

This is what happens when children don't know anything about where they live. Lack of education leads to lack of respect, hence you get people throwing garage and breaking stuff in their very neighborhood. They don't even get it because know told them its completely idiotic to damage your home.

DET

Allow me to clear a few things up. The NYS penal law states that criminal Mischief occurs when there is $1500.00 worth of damage. It is clear that the amount of damage in this case overwhelmingly exceeds $1500.00. The police pleaded with the district attorney’s office to accept the charge of Criminal Mischief 2nd degree (Felony). However the ADA refused to charge the felony and misdemeanor charges where filed.

The male “Tagger” as they are known, is a habitual graffiti artist (I use the word artist loosely) and did not do this act on the spur of the moment. They voluntarily, intelligently and knowingly committed this crime.

Both the police and the parks department are aggressively seeking felony charges. For the record, a passerby alerted the police to the four suspects but an extensive search was conducted for the whereabouts of the 4 and a thorough investigation tied them to the crime. Detectives from the NYPD picked up the case and an arrest was made. Kudos to the passerby and the police.

mmlanglie

Those pictures just break my heart. I know how much effort and hard work was put in to the restoration of this beautiful part of the city.

Clarice City, I agree--these weren't kids who just "didn't know any better" and they should be held responsible. Ugh, what a shame.

whitecastlerock

These little pieces of shit need a fucking public caning...

Huffy6241

"U not redy"

Brainwash

Why were the names of the minors released?

mdow

because they needed to be, i say, hopefully. because someone with their names will maybe pay them a visit and tie them to the bottom of the hudson, i say, hopefully.

at least they got felony charges, little fucking shitsacks.

longacre

Surprised it took two years for this to happen.

I say we petition Marc Ecko and the other rich "artist" folk who encourage and glamorize this garbage to contribute to the restoration.

TN

Back to the 70s we go.

henricus

Wait, why aren't they being charged for the restoration? Split four ways that's $25,000 each. Sounds about right. Not only that, they should throw the little twerps in jail for a few years but force them to take Columbia Art History courses until they receive an A in art appreciation. Then they will hopefully understand why their lives are insignificant and we will still know who Praxiteles is in 1,000 years while we forget whose putrified remains rot in their graves.

jchez

Why doesn't the park conservancy sue them? Make them and their parents owe until they die.

If the Conservancy doesn't sue, they are idiots. Also can a group of citizens sue the bastards in a class action lawsuit? Their vandalism hurts us all.