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December 23, 1999
Stolen decorationsdim Christmas spiritBy SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- Thieves dim the warm and giving spirit of the holidays when they steal and vandal Christmas decorations and lights. David Schroeder, of New Ulm, said this is the second year thieves or vandals have taken or destroyed his family's holiday decorations. "It's sad that people do that. They must not have a conscience," said Schroeder, "It's a time to be giving, not taking. I'm not the only person who has had things stolen." Last holiday season Schroeder thieves helped themselves to a pair of elves. This year around midnight on Dec. 17, they snatched a pair of penguins and a bear. The decorations cannot be replaced because they are no longer on the market. "It ruins the spirit of the holidays," said Schroeder, "It helps people get in the holiday spirit when they see the lights and the decorations out. It meant something. ... I know my girls always enjoyed seeing the penguins." Schroeder recommended that people take pictures of their holiday statues for identification purposes. "I don't know if I feel safe putting the statues out," said Schroeder, "I hope people will take precautions and call the cops when they see someone stealing somebody's statues." The Schroeder family was not the only family affected by the actions of thieves and vandals. The Robert and Marilyn Kratz family of rural Springfield experienced both theft and vandalism sometime between Dec. 14 and 15. The Kratzes have put up their Christmas display for 14 years. They began the tradition when the nativity pageant started in Springfield. The items taken in the incident included three spotlights, three outdoor speakers, two strobe lights, one large disco ball and turn table and one laser strobe. The vandalism included one large candle on display was bent downwards. They were able to repair the damage. "Someone must have wanted some electronic stuff," said Robert Kratz, "You can't let them get you down." New Ulm Police Commander Erv Weinkauf said fewer incidences thefts and vandalisms of Christmas decorations have occurred this year as compared to other years. "A couple of years ago we experienced a rash of thefts (Christmas decorations)," said Weinkauf, "I think the people responsible for this, many times, are either stealing them for a prank or they are actually using them for themselves. It boils done to a lack of respect for other people's property. Sometimes they are caught ... sometimes they are not." People who happen to witness someone stealing or vandalizing Christmas decorations should call the law enforcement authorities right away, Weinkauf said. Reports of stolen property can then to referred to if an alleged thief is stopped and is in possession of that property, and charges can be brought.
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