NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Part of a North Little Rock ballpark field was damaged after copper thieves stole wiring this week.
Rose City Ballpark is used by the NLR Police Athletic League who said this will impact hundreds of kids. NLRPD officer Shelby Hunter has spent years on this field offering kids free sports activities as the director of the police athletic league.
“Our job is to operate year-round and keep the kids off the streets in something positive,” Hunter said.
He said someone snuck onto the ballpark on Monday night and pried open their equipment to steal copper wires.
“They cut the power supply to the entire softball field,” Hunter said. “Broke into two breaker boxes, a junction box and two outlets to our press boxes. For someone to come out here and do what they did it shut down that whole field, the lighting, the scoreboard.”
Hunter said the amount someone stole wasn’t worth the impact that is currently being felt.
“A couple of hours to get maybe $50 worth of copper but you cost $6,000 worth of damage that affects our program,” Hunter said.
Hunter said he is thinking of those that impact the most.
“Just alone at our baseball field, we’ve added 400 to 500 kids.” Hunters said. “It’s about the kids so for someone to do that you obviously have no compassion for kids.”
Pamela Smith, director of the Rose City Community Center, said she has seen firsthand how this field is more than just a place for a home run.
“The kids love it and he has got a lot of kids to come over and revitalize our community center,” Smith said.
On Thursday, North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick announced there will be a $2000 reward leading to an arrest in the copper theft.
“You don’t have to rob, steal or kill to feed your sickness,” Hunter said. “I hope the person is caught.”
Hunter said despite the damage they will continue to use the field for practice and games so the community can come together to have fun.
Anyone with any information on the theft is asked to call 501-680-8439.