Reward offered for Cuero holiday display vandals
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INCREASED SECURITY AT CUERO CITY PARK
Cuero Police and the citizens of Cuero are joining together to secure the Christmas in the Park scenes and lights at the city's municipal park.
Citizens groups are being formed to patrol the park ...
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INCREASED SECURITY AT CUERO CITY PARK
Cuero Police and the citizens of Cuero are joining together to secure the Christmas in the Park scenes and lights at the city's municipal park.
Citizens groups are being formed to patrol the park after hours due to the recent increased vandalism.
Police Chief Chris Hernandez said the patrols could be used from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
"This is very important to us too as a police department and our families. We go out there, too," said Officer James Timpone, who will coordinate the patrol effort. "This is an opportunity for the city and the citizens to pull together."
To volunteer to be part of the park patrol contact Timpone at the Cuero Police Department at 361-277-3552.
Other security measures include:
Increase number of officers on night shift.
Increase number of patrols per night.
Increase the frequency of patrols and change up the schedule so the patrols aren't at fixed times or patterns.
Increase the lighting on larger displays with spotlights, even when the rest of the park is not lit.
Police Lt. Steven Ellis emphasized that no one is above suspicion if in the park after hours.
"Anyone moving through the area will be stopped and identified," Ellis said.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
To help finish preparing Christmas in the Park for this holiday season or make a donation toward replacement of scenes, contact the December Events Committee at Cuero Development Corporation, 207 E Main St. or call 361-275-8178.
The group can also be reached by e-mail at cueroed2@dewittec.net.
Christmas in the Park is expected to open on Monday, Nov. 23.
CUERO - The Grinch is on the loose in Cuero and there is a bounty on his head.
A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of vandals responsible for destroying and damaging some of the holiday displays at the Cuero Municipal Park during the weekend.
An estimated $150,000 in damage was done to the Christmas in the Park displays, including a 37-foot American flag made of lights.
On Monday morning, city officials, including Mayor Randy Saenz, interim city manager Raymie Zella and Police Chief Chris Hernandez, met with members of the committee that puts on the annual show of lights and displays.
"I want to offer a reward," the mayor said. "I've vowed to pledge money already and there have been some other people who have wanted to pledge as well."
By meeting's end, Saenz's $500 donation had been joined by commitments to $2,000 more from private and corporate donors.
One donor, Diana Rhodes, of Nursery, wrote two checks during the meeting, one toward the reward and one for display repair and replacement.
"I'm just appalled that anyone would go in and destroy three really expensive parts of this display," she said.
"I have an ornament out there dedicated to my grandchildren. I have been impressed that a town this size has such a wonderful display that brings in people from all areas of this part of Texas. I visit five, six or seven times a year bringing friends over."
Committee member Mary Polansky said in 2008, 22,700 vehicles were counted coming through the park during the six weeks of the event, accounting for an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 visitors to Cuero during that time.
Mildred Hearn, 83, of Yoakum, has been a frequent visitor to Christmas in the Park.
"It's sad to think people hurt so badly that they have to destroy something so beautiful," she said. "It starts at home. It begins with the parents."
Hearn's friend, Linda Peterek, of Hochheim, agreed.
"It really makes me angry. It makes me mad. We look forward to taking the grandkids to it every year. I hope they catch them," she said.
Saenz said the city is sending police officers to the schools seeking information.
"We want to see if we can shake the tree up at the school. See if anyone involved in this crime was from the school and see if they'll tattle on each other," Saenz said.
Cuero Police Department DARE Office Sgt. Sam Saunders said the reward will be announced in the schools, fliers distributed and he will work with campus administrators to get the word spread to their students.
Committee members, a group of about 20 retirees, were personally affected by the vandalism.
"We do this for the pleasure of this community and all the communities around here," said committee member and former mayor W.L. "Buzz" Edge. "We were going to light the flag for Veterans Day and now it's in the lake. What a tragedy for this community for somebody so weak-brained to do something like this."
The mayor reiterated his desire that the vandals are caught.
"I know how bad it hurt you yesterday. I was there," Saenz told members of the December Events Committee of the Cuero Development Corporation. "It hurt me as well."
Due to the dollar amount of the damage, the crime would likely be a felony criminal mischief.
Comments
This has been the best Christmas Display for over 100 miles. If you are one of the thousands which have enjoyed this display over the past years with family and friends, then consider making a donation to help rebuild. I don't know that a fund has been setup, but a donation going to Cuero City Hall for the Christmans Display, will surely be used and appreciated.
November 10, 2009 at 6:41 p.m.When these guys get caught they need to be made to work at the light display helping fix and clean up. Also, while they are working they need to wear bright orange shirts saying "I Vandalized this Chistmas display". (just my opinion)
November 10, 2009 at 12:05 p.m.Along with the police. We need lots of big mean dogs which can be unleased to catch them and hold them at bay. Or chain them close to the displays, so no one could get clos, because these cowards most likely are kids and do not have guns.
I would like to ask you who did this. Just how would you feel if this was your home or car? Not too good.
November 10, 2009 at 11:55 a.m.Cuero sure is in the news a lot. Looks like they are gonna need all the space in that new jail.
November 10, 2009 at 10:40 a.m.This is sad, when i moved here I really appreciated the hard work and the time it took to set this Beautiful Christmas scene up in the park by the town. I was amazed at the Beauty it brings and the wonderful feeling in Cuero at this time of Year. I hope they catch who did this.. they do need to be put on the street with a big sign stating they vandalized and stole from Cuero. For all to see.
November 10, 2009 at 10:13 a.m.Let me get this right. The displays were vandalized last year. They were vandalized ealier this year. and they were vandalized last week.
November 10, 2009 at 6:44 a.m.I'm not police, but there seems to be a pattern here.
Just a suggestion - maybe someone should wait in the shadows a few nights and catch the thugs. Or, how about using automatic cameras. A Game camera isn't too expensive and can be mounted out of sight.
I think that if Cuero wants to put this show on each year that the town should come up with funding for round the clock security patrol for just that area. I bet the thieves and vandals would stay away if they knew that a taizer/pepper gas happy rent a cop was on the case.
November 9, 2009 at 11:51 p.m.How sad & cruel & downright stupid! My family has displays out there dedicated to my deceased grandparents, those displays are not cheap & they actually mean something to the people who have bought them. It would break my heart if someone destroyed a tribute to my grandparents! Cueros Christmas display is beautiful & it sickens me that some stupid person would want to destroy it.
November 9, 2009 at 8:21 p.m.I love that idea sherylo---lol. And, instead of snowballs we can throw rotten tomatoes at them.
November 9, 2009 at 6:58 p.m.I think that when they catch these vandals, they should give them flashlights and set them out as lighted displays during the holidays so we can all see them and they can get all the attention that they seem to crave.
November 9, 2009 at 6:53 p.m.This is so sad. I live in Cuero, my whole family comes here more than once every year to see the displays. What is wrong with the world? If kids did this, then their parents should also be held responsible. I see so many parents who just do not know what their kids are doing, and a lot of them don't care. I have a 17 year old adopted son, I am very strict with him. I know some people think I am too strict, but I know where he is and who he is with. If he does not like this, then he just stays home. I pray they catch who did this, and they have to pay dearly.
November 9, 2009 at 6 p.m.