Cemeteries Need Help Combating Thieves

Tools

by Fox Charlotte

Story Created: Aug 15, 2011 at 9:04 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 15, 2011 at 10:43 PM EDT

BESSEMER CITY, N.C. - The lowest of the low: thieves are targeting cemetery vases, taking the solid bronze pieces and trying to sell them for scrap metal, re-victimizing families that have already lost a loved one.

"That person (the deceased) didn't do nothing to these people (the thieves).  What they're doing, they're hurting these families," says Mike Summitt.  He's the grounds superintendent at Westview Gardens in Bessemer City and has been for 12 years.

He says when the economy tanked so did criminal conduct.  He tells FOX Charlotte's Morgan Fogarty, "I really don't know a solution, Morgan, I really don't."

The problem has also plagued Sharon Memorial Park in east Charlotte.  Police reports show that in April 2010, 24 vases were stolen off grave sites.  And in July of the same year, 50 were stolen.  That's nearly $10,000 in property.

There are no reported thefts this year.  We left a message for the cemetery manager to find out what they're doing to stop the thieves, but didn't hear back.

Even though Summitt says nothing will stop it entirely, he is hand engraving IDs onto each of the vases.  There's also a sign up front, warning criminals.  The engraving has put a dent in the thefts because it makes it easier for police to find out where they belong.

Summitt's boss, Greene Funeral Service owner Scott Greene, went to local scrap metal businesses and asked them to require proof of purchase before agreeing to buy a vase.  "It would be great if they would say, 'wait a minute.'  They're key to this.  If we can get them to quit buying it, then people's not gonna steal something that's worthless to them or that they have a hard time getting rid of," he says.

The vases range in price from $175 to $375.  Greene's policy is to replace the first one at no cost.  He says they can also be covered under home insurance policies.
 

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