SOMERSWORTH — It may have been a political statement, an accident or just a random act of vandalism.

The large granite tablet of the “Ten Commandments” was toppled Wednesday night, according to police. The monument stood on a concrete base in a traffic island next to the Somersworth City Hall.

According to Somersworth Police Capt. Russ Timmons, police received an anonymous call at 6:23 a.m. Thursday from a woman reporting the stone had been knocked down.

“We dispatched officers to the scene and confirmed the stone had been toppled,” Timmons said. “This may just be somebody’s idea of savage amusement.”

Michael Bobinsky, director of public works and utilities, said the monument is being stored in a secure location until the town decides what to do. He said they thought perhaps a car had backed into it but there is no damage from a bumper. Someone may have simply pushed it over.

“It looks like at one point in time there were rods to secure it, so we may explore (putting those in) again,” said Bobinsky.

The monument was erected in 1958 by Fraternal Order of Eagles as a gift to the city.

Timmons said they are looking into whether any security cameras picked up a possible suspect approaching or leaving the area.

He said there hasn’t been a lot of random vandalism in the community and the addition of cameras on certain city properties has helped.

“If anyone has any information it would be very helpful to our investigation,” Timmons said.

The monument has been the center of controversy at times because of its religious nature and prominent location on city property.

Mayor Dana Hilliard said this is an unfortunate incident but is also an opportunity to explore the question of whether the current location is appropriate.

Hilliard said the monument has a part of Somersworth’s history since 1958 and is an example of monuments that were donated all over the country during the height of the Cold War.

“It is my intention to honor the history of the monument, the sensitivity surrounding the monument and its role in history but at the same time balance the question of constitutionality surrounding it,” Hilliard said.

He intends to recommend to the City Council on Monday that the issue of where the monument should be located or perhaps relocated be referred to the Government Operations Committee.

“My personal opinion is that it belongs in a different area,” Hilliard said. “It should be in an area that could honor it as a piece of history while balancing the first amendment question of the monument.”

Hilliard said the city will not tolerate vandalism, but if any positive is to come out of this it is the opportunity to examine where the monument really ought to be.