Vandals are tearing up Christmas lights in Cambridge City’s park at night.
They are stealing and cutting cords, knocking over big displays and even have taken light bulbs from the Santa at Creitz Park’s entrance, according to Clerk-Treasurer Sherry Ervin.
The park’s entrance is near the town hall and police station at 127 N. Foote St., just north of U.S. 40.
Cambridge City Volunteer Fire Department members spend hours installing the lighted scenes each year for area residents’ enjoyment.
The large displays range from a steamboat to a mill, Nativity scene, igloo and snowman.
However, volunteers now must devote additional time for repairs, and the damage is causing frustration.
“These guys work so hard to get all this displayed for the town to view and then have to pay for repairs to the lights and purchase more cords when they are damaged,” Ervin said.
The displays were vandalized last year as well.
Donations of $5 per vehicle are encouraged to help firefighters maintain and expand the display as funds allow. However, no one is turned away for lack of funds.
The lights, which were turned on in conjunction with Cambridge City Chamber of Commerce’s Winter Wonderland festival, are on from 6-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 21.
They will be on nonstop starting Dec. 24 until the morning of Dec. 26. Then, lights will be on nightly from Dec. 26-Jan. 2.
After learning of this new wave of damage, town officials are considering adding more lighting in specific areas of the park as soon as possible. Town council’s regularly scheduled Dec. 9 meeting, where next steps were to be discussed, was after press time for this edition.
Earlier this year, town council members discussed installing Wi-Fi in the park, along with additional security cameras that are wi-fi enabled, but that work is still in progress.
Forward Wayne County plans to cover Wi-Fi installation costs as part of its quality of life efforts with Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program funds, and the town will pay the monthly fees. As part of that collaborative process, council began exploring bundling all of the town’s internet services to save money.
“It would be helpful if everyone in town helps keep an eye out for activity in the park after dark and report anything suspicious immediately,” said council President Jim McLane. “We can’t let the activity of a few individuals negatively affect enjoyment of the park for everyone else.”
Suspicious activity at the park or tips about the vandalism can be shared with Cambridge City Police Department at 765-478-1231.
A version of this article appeared in the December 11 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.