Editorial: A horrifying night, Ferry good news

A HORRIFYING NIGHT

Kudos to local cops who quickly picked up a suspect in the barbaric vandalism that took place in the early morning hours of July 30, defacing several Bay Ridge houses of worship.

Utilizing surveillance video, cops canvassed local stores selling spray paint – an effort that led them to the alleged perpetrator, who in a single night left behind himself a trail of red paint on statuary and structures that shocked the quiet neighborhood.

We join our neighbors in mourning the sacrilege at St. Anselm’s Roman Catholic Church, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, the Union Church of Bay Ridge and the Bay Ridge Jewish Center, as well as Bay Ridge Prep, and in hoping for a swift, appropriate resolution to the matter as it works its way through the justice system.

It is incomprehensible to us that anyone could have committed this sort of vandalism, which strikes at the heart of the neighborhood, devastating believers who worship at each of the sanctuaries that were defaced, as well as members of the community at large, who were horrified to see such actions in their own backyard.

That said, this neighborhood – with all its diversity – is stronger than the misguided hate or anger that likely inspired the vandalism in the first place, and we know it will continue to thrive despite the occurrence of such misguided acts.

FERRY GOOD NEWS

After a spate of discouraging news, local commuters got some good news this week, with word that the city would be providing ferry service between southwest Brooklyn and lower and midtown Manhattan.

Indeed, just as MTA workers were changing signs on the R train stations declaring a new terminus – Court Street in downtown Brooklyn – came the announcement that government officials had agreed to redo the route of the Rockaway to Manhattan ferry to add a stop at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, at 58^th Street in Sunset Park.

As of now, the arrangement will be reviewed after Labor Day. Let’s hope that ridership is such that the administration will see every reason to continue ferry service for the area, for as long as the Montague Tube is being repaired, and afterwards as well.