Officials in the city of Broussard are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of those vandalizing the Ida Benoit Crochet Memorial Park.

According to City Council members, this is not the first time the park has been vandalized, but they hope it will be the last.

When the park was first dedicated in 2004, the park was just an open field. Since then additions have been made for the families in Broussard. The latest addition is signs posted on the bathroom walls offering a $500 reward for any information on those vandalizing the park.

District 4 City Councilwoman Gertrude Batiste says building and expanding the park for the community has been a project of hers since day one. “It’s for the children in the neighborhood to come and visit. Families can have little outings. The men there are clubs, groups of people who have crawfish boils, BBQs, families can have their reunions here.”

After all the work the city has put into upgrading the park she says the vandalism is devastating. “It’s taking away from the community. A lot of families would not come after they’ve been seeing a lot of different things are being destroyed.”

The vandalism which began over two months ago destroyed the lights in the park and put large holes in the bathroom’s structure. Both crimes remain unsolved. Local authorities, city council members and even the park’s surrounding neighbors are all pitching in to catch the culprits.

“There is a reward that’s being offered for any information pertaining to who did the vandalizing. Some of the neighbors are inquiring and trying to figure out exactly who and what and how it was done.” says Batiste.

Batiste says at one time the park had only two port-a-pottys and no running water. Today the park offers a safe retreat for families and residents of all ages. She wants those individuals responsible to reconsider the damage they have caused. “We have a beautiful park here. It’s not completed but with what we have we would encourage others to take care of what’s here.”

Batiste says she hopes to continue to expand the park, but that can only happen if the vandalism stops.