Would-Be Thieves Target Berwick Christmas Boulevard

Berwick, Columbia County-- A holiday tradition in Columbia County has become the target of vandals.

Someone has damaged property along the Berwick Christmas Boulevard at least twice this week.

For 66 years, volunteers have decked the halls on Market Street with a holiday display stretching straight through the center of town.

A crew headed up by the Berwick Area Jaycees spends months planning the Christmas Boulevard-- and hours upon hours setting up all the displays.

People around town call the acts of vandalism disheartening.

Virginia Ridall, of Berwick, noted, "This is something that is worked on all year long. And it's presented to us to make Berwick more beautiful at Christmas time. A lot of work goes into this, and we appreciate what they do."

But-- just like some years past-- the Christmas Boulevard has once again become the target of would-be vandals and thieves.

Those vandals attempted to break into the Santa's workshop display-- apparently trying to steal donations.

Chris Romig, also of Berwick, said, "It's sad, really. I mean, they put this on for the kids of Berwick. They try to make Berwick look good. And then you have people like that, that just ruin it."

Ridall continued, "We're disappointed in the people that do that, because they're taking away from the pleasures of everybody."

So far, the jokes' been on the trespassers-- Jaycees' representatives tell us they don't leave the donation money collected on-site-- so the would-be thieves haven't gotten away with anything.

But that hasn't lessened the anger and disappoint of those who appreciate the all volunteers' hard work.

Romig added, "What's the sense in trying to break or ruin this stuff that people work hard on? It's for the kids. Get a job maybe, you know?"

People who live along Market Street say they want to remind the vandals that Santa's always watching.

And they say-- from now on, they'll be watching, too.

Berwick police tell Eyewitness News they're also aware of the problem, and will be patrolling the area more often.

If you see anything suspicious, you're asked to give them a call.