The letter was sent to City Council on Feb. 28, but the city has not responded, Parish Council President Jean McHugh said.
The parish council suggested the city install utility poles with lights around the cemetery and to lock the gates when cemetery workers leave for the day.
“Maybe these kids, or whoever is doing this, won't do it if they think they will be seen,” McHugh said of the lights.
City Service Director Chris Murphy said he suspects juveniles are responsible for the damage.
City Council President Howard Baughman said he addressed the letter at the March 26 Council meeting.
“We're working through the process of the capital improvements budget to see what we can do,” he said on Wednesday. “I take their concerns seriously. We are looking into the problem because it needs to be fixed.”
Sixteen headstones were damaged or overturned over the weekend. That follows a major vandalism spree in December when about 100 stones and monuments were damaged.
The Rev. Ted Machnik said he doesn't believe there has been any vandalism in the St. Mary's section, however.
“Those who destroyed the stones don't show much respect for the dead,” McHugh said.
Machnik said the vandals are “sick.”
He also said the church met with the city a few years ago and were told the vandalism occurs every three to five years.
“St. Mary has a vested interest in keeping the cemetery safe and secure for our own section and for all who have loved ones interred at Greenlawn,” the parish council members wrote. “We don't feel the citizens of Portsmouth have to accept damage to the cemetery every three to five years as acceptable.”
Police are offering a $1,000 reward in finding the vandals.
The church and Holy Redeemer Church own sections of the cemetery and sell graves in their sections.
JEFF BARRON can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 236.
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