Local authorities in Wichita, Kansas are seeking assistance in tracking down the location of a recently looted statue of the late Baseball Legend, Jackie Robinson. According to a report by KLBY, only the feet of the sculpture remain in the park it was taken from.
A 'Symbol of Hope' for the Local Wichita Community
The statue was originally commissioned by League 42, a nonprofit organization that offers cheap and accessible baseball registration for kids between the ages of 5 to 14. It also was responsible for raising the $50,000 required for the construction and installation of the sculpture.
For the organization, Jackie Robinson has always been a key inspiration, as it is from his jersey number of "42" where the league got its name.
Before Robinson got the momentous acclaim of being the first player of African descent to play in the Major League and following his release from the military in 1944, he was signed by the Kansas City Monarchs whose team was registered in the Negro Leagues.
This is why, today, Jackie Robinson and his statue are an intimate "symbol of hope" in the local community, the loss of which is something the Wichita City Councilman Brandon Johnson mourns deeply.
"It means a whole lot and it's unfortunate that someone backed in there around midnight and took it," he told CNN, adding that the incident is heartbreaking especially "for all of those kids and parents and coaches."
However, he expressed his hope in getting the statue back, stating that the local "police department" has been toiling restlessly to find out who committed the heinous crime against the community,
So far, there has been a slew of public and private businesses who came forward with video footage relevant to the incident, as per the councilman.
In a separate statement made by Steve Cohlmia, President of the Wichita Metro Crime Commission, last Friday, Jan. 26, he announced that the local Crimestoppers organization is putting forward a reward of up to $2,500 for any tip that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrator.
He added that an additional $5,000 will be given to those who would help in the recovery of the sculpture, be it through information or effort.
