WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Congregants at four Jewish synagogues in western Massachusetts are offering a reward and some are vowing to join overnight police patrols following the recent desecration of more than 50 gravestones.
Officials say the vandalism at the Jewish cemeteries located off King's Highway in West Springfield began over the Labor Day weekend. Additional damage was discovered Wednesday morning despite the stepped-up patrols.
Police are trying to determine whether the vandalism -- occurring a little more than a week before the Jewish High Holy Days -- was a hate crime. Investigators note that none of the graves at an adjacent Roman Catholic cemetery was disturbed.
A vigil is planned at the cemeteries tonight and the congregations are offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to arrests. They also hope to repair the gravestones in time for the Jewish New Year.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Dramatic rescue on MBTA orange line Fire tears through old Lawrence mill Cars collide; 1 into Peabody business building New Hampshire police seize 322,000 prescription pills Marine killed in Afghanistan laid to rest on Cape 