North Shore police department investigating theft of historic plaques

Police on the North Shore are investigating a series of thefts after a historical plaque was stolen from an “African American” monument, police said.

The historical plaque was reported stolen from Old Hill Cemetery on Greenleaf Street in Newburyport on March 24, Newburyport police said in a statement. press release.

The 12-by-24-inch bronze plaque marks a “historic African American section” of the cemetery, the department said.

The plaque acknowledges the “Black men, women and children buried in the 18th and 19th centuries” in the cemetery without identifying them, as seen in a photo police shared of the plaque before it was stolen.

The department said police were unable to obtain surveillance footage or find any witnesses to the robbery.

“This incident occurred while the department was already investigating several other thefts of bronze plaques from other locations around the city,” police said.

Other “similar” markers have been stolen recently, including one that went missing from Oak Hill Cemetery sometime before March 15, one from Cashman Park sometime before Jan. 19, and another from Atkinson Common sometime between Jan. 14 and 15, police wrote.

Newburyport police are working with police in the “adjacent community” that also witnessed a sign theft, the department said.

“Newburyport takes great pride in its rich history, and these thefts are of deep concern to our community,” Newburyport Police Chief Marshal Matt Simmons said. “We are asking residents to help us closely monitor our community’s historic landmarks and to contact us if they have any information.”

Newburyport Police ask those with information regarding the thefts to notify the department at 978-462-4411.