New Square House Vandalized

New Square -- Police are conducting a criminal investigation into the vandalism at 9 Eisenhower Ave. which has been the scene of demonstrations by some residents and vandalism since the new owner evicted three families and two businesses in June.

Part of a house that a California-based real estate investor bought recently at a foreclosure was purposely knocked down this week, leaving a pile.

"We have ruled out an accidental collapse, we can comfortably say this house probably wasn't randomly chosen. There have been ongoing problems there."
The damage was estimated at $25,000 and New Square has given the owner a few days to clean up the rubble. If he doesn't, the village intends to hire a contractor and bill the owner.
"I am very upset at this hooliganism," the owner said. "No one has the right to destroy another person's property. This is despicable and uncivilized."
He said he would file a civil rights complaint with the FBI and the state Attorney General's Office, and would rebuild the three-family house, clean up the grounds and rent to people who were not Chasidic Jews and didn't live in the community.
Residents said they knew nothing about how the side of the building came down, but seemed aware of the controversy surrounding the house. They declined to give their names.