Vandals destroy flagpole and damage 9/11 memorial in Washingtonville, New York

Washingtonville Police Chief Brian Zacarro shared with the Times Herald-Record that those responsible must have used a saw to cut apart the flagpole. The vandals also wrote a message in marker on what was left of the pole, according to The Sun.

Zaccaro did not share what the message said.

Members of the community were reported to have been surprised that the 9/11 memorial had been a target by the vandals.

Mayor Joseph Bucco announced on Facebook that an award "in excess of $3,000" is now being offered to anyone who is able to provide information that may lead to those responsible for the criminal activity.

The memorial was completed before the first anniversary of the attack in September of 2002, and was dedicated to 5 firefighters who were from the area and had given their lives: Mark Whitford, Bobby Hamilton, Gerry Nevins, Dennis Devlin, and Lt. Glenn Perry.

The damage was discovered on Wednesday after someone sent a text message to the mayor of the vandalized property.