JACKSON – A $500 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individuals who vandalized an unoccupied/abandoned home on Valley Road, Jackson, in late April.
The reward was announced in a statement from municipal officials last week.
Municipal officials have condemned the act of vandalism, saying, “The governing body condemns all bias, discrimination and hateful acts against any individual, race, religion, creed, etc.
“These heinous acts attempt to incite nothing but unnecessary unrest and unlawful behavior and will not be tolerated nor accepted by the good people of Jackson.
“Jackson stands firm against this unacceptable type of behavior and will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. The mayor and Township Council’s commitment to residents’ safety is second to none,” municipal officials said.
Shortly before 3 p.m. April 30, police officers responded to Valley Road to investigate a report that anti-Semitic graffiti had been found on a home. The house was about 400 feet from the road on a wooded 10-acre parcel, according to police.
Police said the officers observed that the windows of the home had all been broken. Swastikas and the word “Hitler” had been spray-painted on the structure.
When the officers entered the home they discovered what was described as extensive damage. Police said the interior walls had been spray-painted with derogatory remarks directed toward Jews and African-Americans.
A second abandoned structure on the property was not damaged.
Police said it is believed the damage to the home occurred between April 19 and April 30.
Last week, municipal officials said police are still searching for the individuals responsible for causing the damage. They said the home was scheduled for demolition when it was defaced with profanity and racial and religious slurs.
According to the statement, Mayor Michael Reina recently met with members of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, including New Jersey State Commander Jeffrey M. Sohn, to discuss the recent incident.
To assist with the investigation, the JWV is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.
“Someone out there knows something. Even the smallest bit of information can help bring those responsible to justice. This is more than just vandalism, this was an act of hatred. The good people of Jackson will not tolerate this inexcusable behavior and I’m confident we will work together to see that this does not happen again,” Reina said.
Anyone with information about the incident on Valley Road is asked to call police at 732-928-1111.
