Vandalism mars Arlington Cemetery

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, August 17, 2004

ARLINGTON – A 50-pound concrete eagle has been added to the growing list of flowers, planters, vases and tokens of love stolen from the Arlington Cemetery.

The nearly 2-foot-tall statue was reported stolen Monday, Arlington Police Chief John Gray said Tuesday. A woman placed it on her husband’s grave July 23 and noticed it missing Sunday.

“This is flat wrong,” Gray said. “How do you put a value on the thoughts and emotions behind the flowers left behind?”

Vandals and thieves have hit the city-owned cemetery through the years. Several headstones were tipped over last year, senior groundskeeper Erika Morris said.

This spring, thieves have repeatedly stolen flowers, vases and statues. “I think it just adds salt to the wounds of people trying to heal,” Morris said.

There have been eight cases reported to police at the cemetery this year, Gray said. A line trimmer was stolen in February. A planter box and flowers were stolen in April. And some children building a play fort at the cemetery damaged some trees in May.

Numerous cases of damage and thefts were reported since Memorial Day weekend. Police later learned the damage was caused by two dogs running through the grounds, Gray said.

“The cemetery is not a dog park or a place for kids to play,” assistant city administrator Kristin Banfield said.

Police have stepped up patrols along the cemetery, Gray said. The cemetery is open until dusk, and police are expected to lock the gates after closing. The city will look at installing security cameras, additional fencing or low-voltage lighting, Banfield added.

Police also want the community to keep an eye on the cemetery and report suspicious activity, Gray said.

“The cemetery is a special place. It is heart-wrenching that someone would do this,” Banfield said.

Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.