Westfield Police Have Two Suspects in Connection With Anti-Turf Field Sign Theft
Twenty-eight stolen signs have been recovered.
Westfield Police have two juvenile suspects in connection with the theft of the anti-turf lawn signs that were stolen during the evening hours of Saturday, Sept. 15.
A Westfield resident who witnessed the juveniles allegedly stealing the signs from his lawn contacted police at 6:20 p.m. Saturday and gave them the license plate number of the vehicle the suspects were driving. Westfield police found the juveniles in possession of the stolen signs.
Westfield Police Capt. Scott Rodger said two residents filed theft reports Saturday evening. Each was missing two signs which have been recovered.
Opponents of the proposed lighted turf field who reside on Codding Road, Edgar Road, First Street and Hyslip Avenue awoke Sunday morning to find that many of their signs had been stolen or destroyed. Not all residents filed theft reports, said Rodger, who noted that a total of 28 signs have been recovered.
The case has been turned over to Juvenile Bureau Detective Gregory Hobson. Because the suspects are minors, no additional information will be released.
Columbo
2:27 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Wow! And we all thought it was the BOE members!! Guess we owe them a big apology!
Walkin Westfield
10:50 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
they merely set the example.
Blue Devil Blues
3:58 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
If it is determined that these thieves are members of a scholastic athletic team at WHS, or any other school for that matter, they should be held accountable fot their actions by way of the school enforcing the code of conduct policy each of them signs when they join a team.. Forget about law enforcement getting involved and penalties being enforced by a court. What greater and more meaningful penalty is there than to remove them from a team that most likely would benefit from the turf field. Of course if its a star player on one of the varsity teams, the thievesdismissal from that team would not be an option.
Curt
8:57 am on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
With all the strong opinions this issue has created, it's easy to forget that the new fields will greatly benefit the kids.
Walkin Westfield
9:32 am on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
The bond is not for a new field, it is a multi million dollar expenditure to resurface an existing field. The kids are happy with natural grass otherwise they can walk the three/four blocks to kehler field
Curt
10:30 am on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Thanks for the important clarifications
August West
10:18 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Curt- don't accept that clown's response. The kids aren't happy with the natural grass. The teams that play on the high school field don't have the option of playing on Kehler. Either it is already full or there isn't a field for them there (girls softball). When it is muddy, they don't play. Spring in NJ, it happens often.
Jeff B
10:13 am on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
This is a welcome development. Driving around with a car to steal (at least) 28 signs is not a trivial matter.
I recommend going to the website shown in the sign pictured above and reading the various points - especially the safety issues of turf fields. Aside from the other aspects of this issue which have been discussed at great length, why would anyone want to do something that exposes children to increased risks?
Southide W
7:05 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Calling these kids suspects in this and equating it with crime is silly. I am against the turf and lights and will be voting NO, but it was obvious this was done by kids and not part of some overall conspiracy. This is not a criminal act and should not be treated as such. This is just plain silly. Get new signs if they are really that effective at swaying people's votes.
MR. G
4:18 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
After reading some of the adults' juvenile comments on this site, I would not be surprised if these children are offspring of the parents who make the comments. Some folks in Westfield simple do not like to lose and will do anything to prevent doing so.
And for the record, stealing someone else's property IS A CRIME - stealing is stealing