NYPD To Increase Security At Columbus Circle Statue

COLUMBUS CIRCLE, NY — The NYPD will assign a patrol unit to increase security at a statue of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus out of fear that vandals could once again strike the monument during Columbus Day weekend, a department spokeswoman confirmed with Patch.

"In light of recent vandalism, the NYPD has assigned patrol resources to maintain a post in the vicinity of the Columbus Statue," NYPD spokeswoman Kellyann Ort told Patch in a statement.

The monument, which stands more than 70-feet-tall at the center of Columbus Circle, was vandalized in September when a 39-year-old homless man named Daniel Kimery painted pink nail polish on the statue's left hand. Kimery was charged with criminal mischief, making graffiti and possession of graffiti instruments, police said.

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A statue of Columbus in Central Park was also vandalized in September.

The words "hate will not be tolerated" were spray painted onto the base of the statue and Columbus' hands were painted red, the NYPD spokesman said. The words "#Somethingiscoming" were also painted onto the base of the statue, according to photos of the vandalism.

The statue is located within the park near the 65th Street Transverse and Center Drive.

A push to remove the statue of Columbus recently gained traction when de Blasio announced the creation of a city commission to study New York City's "symbols of hate." City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said that Columbus is a "controversial figure" who represents oppression and hate to indigenous people and people from the Caribbean.

De Blasio did not give his personal opinion on whether the statue of the Italian explorer should be removed or not. In August, a city hall spokesman told Patch "the commission will decide" whether the statue stays or goes.

Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images News/Getty Images