Greenfield cemetery installs surveillance cameras following urn thefts

GREENFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — A cemetery in Greenfield is now taking extra security measures after reported thefts in recent months. The thieves got away with more than 20 large urns from Park Cemetery.

The cemetery put up surveillance cameras last month to prevent it from happening again. Greenfield Street Commissioner Tyler Rankins said they haven’t had any problems since then.

“Our visitors need some type of security, but they also need some type of privacy too, so there’s a fine line in there,” said Rankins. “We don’t want people to think we’re spying on them at a rough time in their life, but we also don’t need any more thefts so we also have to give them that security.”

Driving into Park Cemetery in Greenfield Tuesday evening, you may not even notice the surveillance cameras near the main entrance.

“The cameras were no cost to the cemetery. Our information department put them up I believe,” said Rankins. “Brand new they cost around $1,000 but they had some old ones so it was very limited expenses.”

Rankins said there has been 26 reported cases of stolen urns.

“It baffles me too that you would even think to steal the dirt that goes in the urns,” Rankins said.

The urns are made out of metal or cast iron and weigh hundreds of pounds. The cemetery has been working with police on the investigation.

“They think they may be taking them to antique stores or they could be taking them to the local scrap yard or you know maybe not even local or just maybe across state line to scrap stores and maybe getting $20 or $40,” Rankins said.

In addition to the cameras, Rankins said the cemetery is now keeping track of inventory on property.

“We’ve been doing a catalog of all the urns and vases left,” he said, “We’ve been taking pictures and putting where they are in the cemetery.”

Thomas Duncan lives nearby.

“I think its bad, you know, that people would take from somebody’s grave,” said Duncan.

Duncan said it’s upsetting to know that someone would steal from a cemetery in the first place.

“I think it’s sad that they have to have security cameras for a cemetery,” Duncan said. “It’s supposed to be your final resting place, (if) you can’t rest there, then where can you rest?”

While police continue to investigate, Duncan said he believes the thieves may be feeding a dangerous habit.

“Honestly it’s probably drug related to feed their habits in my opinion that’s probably what it is,” he said, “For somebody to do something like that, it’s not to buy diapers you know? It’s got to be something strong for them to do something that bad.”

If you have any information about the thefts at Park Cemetery, you’re asked to call police.