CENTRALIA, Wash. — The Centralia Police Department is looking for the Grinch who stole Christmas.
Overnight on Tuesday, Nov. 25, an unknown person or people damaged approximately one-third of the Christmas light displays that were set up for the annual Borst Lights celebration at Borst Park.
The culprit slashed the cables and wires on the city’s elaborate Christmas display, which raises thousands for local nonprofits every year.
Centralia City Parks employees spent days setting up this year’s displays.
According to Centralia PD, an early estimate for damages hits around $29,000.
“The entire community of Lewis County waits for this,” said Lesley Guillen, who looks forward to the display every year. “It’s like the biggest thing in Lewis County.”
“This is just such a beloved program,” said Amy Buckler, the deputy city manager and parks director. “We weren’t sure if we were going to be able to do Borst lights this year.”
Buckler told KIRO 7 some of the proceeds from the event were set to go to the Centralia Police Association to support its Night Out With Santa program, which gives food and gifts to families in need.
“I can’t describe how demoralizing that was for the staff that spends so much time setting this up for the community,” she said.
Buckler said the parks staff knew how important the event was and worked through the Thanksgiving weekend to repair the displays.
The show is now back on and opens Dec. 5.
In response to the vandalism, the Centralia Police Department has increased patrols in and around Borst Park and is “actively pursuing all investigative leads to identify those responsible for damaging our community tradition,” CPD wrote on Facebook.
If you have any information on the vandalism, call CPD during business hours at (360) 330-7680 or contact the non-emergency dispatch line 24/7 at (360) 740-1105.
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