The damage caused to the Washington Cemetery in Brooklyn may have been the result of environmental elements and lack of maintenance, rather than vandalism, New York police stated.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) stated that no evidence of vandalism was found at a predominantly Jewish cemetery where more than 40 tombstones were toppled over. They are attributing the damage to the environment and lack of maintenance.

The NYPD said that after consultation with the management of the Washington Cemetery in Brooklyn, it was determined the 42 tombstones came down as a result of a number of factors. These include long-term neglect and lack of maintenance, as well as environmental factors such as soil erosion.

Two Jewish cemeteries in the US were recently vandalized, in Philadelphia and in St. Louis, Missouri, and 122 bomb threats have been made against Jewish organizations in 36 states since early January.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called the surge an “epidemic.”

Authorities said Friday that Juan Thompson, a former left-wing journalist fired for fabricating details in stories, is suspected of making at least eight threats against Jewish institutions nationwide as part of a campaign against his ex-girlfriend.

By: AP and World Israel News Staff

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