9/11 memorial vandalized by visitors who have scratched messages to loved ones into bronze name panels



Panels of victims' names at the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City are being graffitied to include messages from family and friends, according a report by the New York Post.



The etchings, nicknamed 'scratchiti,' have appeared in the panels about 40 times, sources told the paper. One such message was 'Love4Ever.'

Cleanup: Maintenance workers at the memorial, like the one seen in this file photo, are supposed to file a report when graffiti is spotted before they clean it up

Museum spokesman Michael Frazier confirmed their existence to the Post.



'There have been instances when scratches have been discovered on the bronze panels of the memorial,' Frazier said. 'Our staff works very hard to address them immediately.'



Workers are supposed to contact police and file a report before they clean up the plates, the Post says.

Multiple messages: Sources told the New York Post that there have been around 40 instances of 'scratichiti'

However, sources told the paper that no one has been arrested and the scratchiti 'is not a high priority.' So far police have not used CCTV footage to find the writers.



The markings have not been 'disrespectful,' sources told the paper.

'Can you imagine the conflict a cop would feel about having to bust someone for leaving a personal message to honor a dead relative who was murdered at Ground Zero?' a source told the Post.





