MAGA Graffiti To Get Gone: Nonprofit To Clean Morris Co. Cliffs

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ — They won't be "Graffiti Cliffs" for much longer. State officials accepted a nonprofit's offer to remove most of the graffiti from the cliffs at Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Refuge, including a controversial "MAGA" tag.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection previously thought there was no safe way for them to remove the graffiti. But the agency determined that Community Search and Rescue (CommSAR) — an organization that supports search-and-rescue operations on public lands — has volunteered for the task.

But they won't remove all of the graffiti, according to CommSAR Chief Jay Schwartz.

"Many U.S. veterans and their families strongly feel that an American flag is a sacred image and should never be considered graffiti," Schwartz said. "In deference to the veterans who serve our country, and to those who have given their life so that we can live free, we will not be removing the American flag."

The illegal graffiti became so prevalent that people unofficially called the area "graffiti cliffs." The spraypaint shown in pictures includes a weed leaf, along with big "MAGA" letters, representing former President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign slogan.

David Golden, director of the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife, previously said in a letter Patch obtained that the graffiti on the cliffs couldn't be safely removed, but the agency would seek the National Guard's help. Read more: 'MAGA' Graffiti At NJ Park Can't Be Safely Removed, State Says

Instead, they found a regional organization that could manage the operation. CommSAR is a member of the National Association for Search and Rescue, along with search-and-rescue organizations in New York and New Jersey.

CommSAR assembles experienced hikers with skills or equipment that they can use in search and rescue, holding regular drills and trainings. All members are volunteers.

"The Department is appreciative of COMMSAR’s voluntary assistance," said Larry Hajna, an NJDEP spokesperson.

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