Aisha Woods helped Woodlawn Celestial Gardens clean up the destruction caused by vandals and thieves. (Photo: Aisha Woods)
Nearly 600 grave markers were stolen overnight from Woodlawn Celestial Gardens, one of the oldest cemeteries in Los Angeles County, located in Compton. The burial ground is the final resting place for city founders and Veterans, including those from the Civil War.
The thieves, targeting headstones made of valuable bronze and copper, left behind empty spaces and rubble where the markers once stood. The estimated value of the stolen property exceeds $100,000, and authorities suspect that the thieves plan to melt them down for sale.
Local residents expressed their fury towards the Los Angeles council, accusing them of inaction in the face of a series of headstone thefts. Celestina Bishop, the owner of Woodlawn Celestial Gardens for the past four years, criticized the lack of response from council members, emphasizing the moral obligation to protect the historic cemetery.
Video footage reveals the aftermath of the theft, with damaged grass and empty spaces where the thieves dug into the ground to steal plaques. Bishop’s plea for assistance from the council has largely gone unanswered, except for one council member, Mr. Bauers, who reached out.
At a recent council meeting, concerned residents voiced their frustration, urging the council to take action and proposing the installation of security cameras to deter future incidents. A resident noted the council’s previous inaction during other events, suggesting it may have encouraged the thieves.
The vandals stole the memorial plaque that boxer Joe Louis dedicated to World War II Veterans and vandalized another one commemorating President Abraham Lincoln in their efforts to detach it from the monument.
While the police are investigating the thefts, no arrests have been made. Sadly, this incident follows another similar theft at a different Compton cemetery, Lincoln Memorial Park, which is home to over 900 Veterans dating back to the War of 1812. Headstones there were stolen and monuments damaged. The thieves targeted bronze monuments, attempting to saw them off before bending back the plaques.
The wave of cemetery thefts also extends beyond Compton, with a historic cemetery in Carson also falling victim to thieves who stole over 100 name plaques. The thieves seem to focus on bronze items, likely for resale or recycling.
Community advocates and volunteers express their disgust at the desecration of cemeteries, emphasizing the difficulty in prying off the stolen plaques. They speculate that the thieves may be targeting bronze for its market value.
As both Compton and Carson communities grapple with the violation of these resting places, there is a growing call for decisive action from local authorities to address and prevent further thefts. The stolen markers not only represent a significant financial loss but also a heartbreaking disturbance to the final resting places of the local community, including Veterans.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
