GREENFIELD — After recent vandalism to the nativity scene on the Town Common, the group responsible for setting it up is hoping to find a solution that will put an end to the damage without diminishing the spirit of the display.

Some time Monday night, the baby Jesus doll in the creche was damaged and the donkey figurine’s ears were broken off, according to the Greenfield Police Department. This is at least the third year in a row the scene has been vandalized.

Doug Clarke, a member of Keep Christ in Christmas — the local group responsible for the annual display — said the vandalism has been fairly minor, but the group is looking into ways it might deter access into the creche.

“On the one hand, we’re relieved that the damage was minor and easily repaired, and on the other hand, obviously we’re disappointed that someone is doing damage to the creche,” he said. “We’re talking about what we might do. Even though it’s been minor damage, we don’t want it to be a burden on the police department or anyone else.”

After The Recorder posted a story about the recent incident on Facebook, many users commented expressing anger and disappointment at the vandalism. Some suggested a camera be installed in or near the creche, or that the display be surrounded by plexiglass.

Clarke said the group has talked about putting plexiglass across the front, but feels that would be contrary to the spirit, symbolism and humility of the display.

“Truly, we’d hate to resort to that,” he said.

He said the group is also hesitant to install a security camera in the creche for the same reason.

“We may be forced into doing that, but I think personally, depending on how much we have to do, at what point is it detracting from the display to the extent that it’s not worth doing it?” he said.

Mayor William Martin said there has been discussion over the past six months about installing more cameras downtown, which could be connected to the network now being constructed for Greenfield Community Energy and Technology — the service that will eventually provide low-cost internet in town. He said grant sources are available that could fund those cameras.

Martin said there are already cameras in that area, but they’re not facing the nativity scene.

Clarke said his group is considering extending the fence that surrounds the creche, which has traditionally been more for aesthetics than protection. The fence currently covers the wheels of the trailer that the creche is on, but Clarke said moving it forward a few feet could make it harder for someone to get into the display. He said the group hasn’t looked into the possibility closely, but it’s been in the back of their minds.

Some town leaders have also expressed a desire to protect the nativity scene, and the Town Common in general.

Town Council Vice President Isaac Mass said he would be supportive of any action taken to keep the Common a safe space where people of all opinions can express their views.

Human Rights Commissioner Lewis Metaxas has asked the commission to initiate a formal investigation into the vandalism as a possible hate crime arising from anti-Christian bigotry, but commission Chairman Philippe Simon said he does not believe the incident is under the commission’s purview.

“I am not going to comment on it because I just don’t think it has anything to do with human rights,” he said.

This is at least the third year in a row that a similar act of vandalism has taken place at the nativity scene. In 2015, the doll was destroyed or stolen three times, according to Recorder archives. The statue was also stolen in the late 1990s, recovered by police, then stolen again in 2001. It was damaged about four years ago when someone cut the leg off to thwart a bicycle lock, the archives show.

“Frankly, going back the 20 or so years I’ve been involved in it, every now or then there’s been a problem with somebody taking baby Jesus, but we’ve just accepted that as part of the effort for having that reminder of Christmas in such a public place,” Clarke said, adding, “It really is a nice tradition and we hope to be able to continue it, and I’m pretty confident we’ll be able to.”

You can reach Aviva Luttrell at: aluttrell@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 268
On Twitter: @AvivaLuttrell

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