Crime & Safety
Thieves Steal Dozens Of Memorial Plaques From Popular Alameda Park: Report
Community members fear it may be part of a growing trend, according to an ABC7 report.
ALAMEDA, CA — Community members are growing concerned after more than two dozen memorial plaques were stolen in one night from Jean Sweeney Open Space Park in Alameda, according to a report from ABC7.
It's unclear who stole the plaques, which are meant to memorialize community members' loved ones, or why. A theory from Dorothy Freeman, who serves on the park board, appears to be that whoever stole the plaques did so for their material, according to the report.
"Evidently, they use the bronze, and they can probably melt it down and sell it," Freeman told ABC7.
Find out what's happening in Alamedafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Bronze contains copper, which is a highly sought-after scrap metal because its value has increased in recent years. Currently, scrap copper is selling at about an average of about $4.40 per pound.
Park leaders are now looking at how to prevent other plaques from being stolen.
Find out what's happening in Alamedafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Read more from ABC7.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
