Cameras have
been installed and are currently in operation at Oak Grove Cemetery after it
was vandalized. On the night of August
10th around 60 headstones were knocked down from their pedestals.
“The cameras
are up and functioning,” says Gene Phillips, secretary of the Board of Trustees
at Oak Grove Cemetery. He says they are
scattered all around the cemetery and have already detected an early-morning
trespasser.
It seems
necessary to remind the public—and especially the college students across the
street—that trespassing on cemetery grounds after hours is a finable
offence. Standard cemetery hours are
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with special daylight hours from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Though Oak
Grove has insurance it does not cover the cost of the felled markers. These stones are owned by the families of the
deceased and considered personal property.
After the crime family members were contacted. It is expected that each family’s homeowner’s
insurance will possibly cover part, if not all, of the damages.
It took a
crew of six around sixty hours of labor to put the monuments back in
place.
The monuments
weigh anywhere from 500-1,000 pounds. This
draws officials to believe that a group of individuals is responsible for the
distinct line of downed headstones.
Oak Grove
Cemetery is located on La Crosse Street, across from the University of
Wisconsin – La Crosse Campus. The
grounds act as a popular place to walk and jog for students in the area.
There is a
$1,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for
the vandalism. Contact Crimestoppers (608)784-TIPS
with any further information.
