Spree of Flower Thefts Hits White Plains

A half dozen thefts of flowers from White Plains traffic islands and public gardens have been reported to police in the last two months, according to the White Plains Beautification Foundation.

The foundation, which is responsible for 65 gardens throughout the city, believes landscapers or residents could be swiping the flowers, in an attempt to spruce up their own or clients’ homes.

“It’s very disheartening,” foundation Vice President Mary Ann Derosa told The Journal News. “Tree-napping and flower stealing is not unheard of. We lose a few every year, but since September, it seems like it’s increased.”

The main targets have been hibiscuses and mums, both of which are popular fall plants. According to the foundation, local nurseries and the city’s Department of Public Works have been instrumental in providing and helping to plant new flowers to replace the ones stolen.

“Many of our gardens are memorial gardens, foundation President Deborah Donahoe told Fios1News. “And when they steal flowers from them, for the people who sponsored those gardens it hurts them.”

The group recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, reports The Daily Voice, by planting more than 9,000 Master Dutch daffodil bulbs, and it now plans to protect those and other gardens by installing surveillance cameras and warning signs.

“All we can do is ask the people of White Plains who enjoy all of our flowers to help us prevent some of this from happening,” Derosa told Fios1News.

Photo credit: White Plains Beautification Foundation