BELLINGHAM - Another bronze plaque has been stolen from a Bellingham park, the latest in a wave of thefts that has the city's parks department removing some items to protect them and photographing others in case they're stolen.
This time thieves took a plaque off stone pillars at Cornwall Park at Meridian Street. The plaque detailed how the park land was donated to the city. It was stolen sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning, Aug. 22.
It's the second time Cornwall has been hit. Earlier this month someone stole the park's plaque describing the construction of Telegraph Road.
Also stolen this summer were two large plaques from Memorial Park that listed the names of Whatcom County men killed in action during World War I. Thieves also removed a smaller plaque describing the construction of the park.
Add to that the bronze sundial taken from the Cornwall Rose Garden and an aluminum toy from Whatcom Falls Park.
"These things are just priceless," said Wayne Carroll, Bellingham parks technician. "They have a history that belongs to the people of Whatcom County."
Most of the plaques are large, about 3 feet by 2 feet. Police say they're most likely being stolen for the value of the recycled bronze. They're probably being chopped up or otherwise altered before being sold to hide that they are stolen items.
City workers have removed some valuable items out of fear thieves might grab them, said Leslie Bryson, director of the Parks and Recreation Department. At Elizabeth Park, the sculptures of three girls drinking from shells at the fountain have been removed. The sculptures were cast in 1930 by Swedish artist Knute Evertz and had been stolen before.
"Those things are absolutely priceless," Carroll said.
Parks officials are discussing removing more plaques, but it would take a tremendous amount of work, Bryson said.
They've noticed that many of the stolen plaques are older ones, so they're examining how those are affixed to rocks or other surfaces compared to ones placed more recently. Bryson said it's possible the modern installation work makes them much more difficult to remove. That could be done for older plaques.
Bryson said they're also discussing creating a reward fund for return of the stolen items.
While most of the thefts apparently occurred at night, it's possible the thieves are doing some of the stealing or preparation for it during the park hours, Bellingham Police spokesman Mark Young said. If you see someone working around a plaque or similar item at a park who doesn't appear to be a parks employee, call police or report it to park employees.
Anyone who has information about the missing plaques is asked to call police at 360-778-8800 or the tip line at 360-778-8611, where tips can be left anonymously.
SUNNYLAND PLAQUE PHOTOS SOUGHT
The Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department is looking for anyone who has photographs of the missing Memorial Park plaques that list the names of Whatcom County soldiers killed in World War I. If you have photos showing those plaques, please contact Wayne Carroll at 360-778-7100.
