EASTHAMPTON — Three juveniles who allegedly stole signs from residents’ yards, causing a ruckus in recent months, were brought to justice Wednesday when their parents were notified.
“We’re happy to report that we investigated and identified the juveniles that were doing it,” Chief Bob Alberti said Thursday.
The stolen signs read: “No matter where you are from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor,” written in English, Spanish and Arabic. The signs are distributed by the Good Neighbors Project of Western Massachusetts, a nonprofit in Hadley “that works to engage the community in a dialogue about immigrant rights and what it means to be a welcoming community.”
Underage perpetrators stole the signs amid a heated debate over designating Easthampton a sanctuary city, a measure withdrawn last week. The signs became a central point in the contentious conversation.
“After interviewing the juvenile subjects and their parents, officers recovered several of the aforementioned stolen signs,” Public Information Officer Chad Alexander wrote in a statement. “Their information is not being released. The investigation is ongoing, and charges may be forthcoming.”
Alberti said the signs “were all cut up” and so the department cannot return them.
Jackie Brousseau-Pereira of Easthampton said she already replaced her stolen sign, but it saddened her to know that someone would take it in the first place.
“I hope we hear why they did it,” she said. “I hated thinking that someone could be against being kind to their neighbors.”
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.