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Council offers $5,000 reward after vandalism to Moon Tree; asks police for prevention options
Summary
Following reports and photographs showing deliberate damage to a Moon Tree in a city park, the council approved a $5,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction and asked the police department to return with prevention recommendations, including camera options.
NASSAU BAY, Texas — The Nassau Bay City Council on Feb. 10 voted unanimously to offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons who vandalized a Moon Tree in a city park.
Council members described the damage as deliberate and extensive; the parks director and an arborist informed the council that the damaged sapling is unlikely to survive further injury. Councilmembers said the tree is part of the city's moon-tree plantings and ties to the city's space heritage, which increased the damage's symbolic significance.
Council discussion also focused on a pattern of recent vandalism and damage in city parks, including earlier incidents involving duck feeders and damage to a pavilion. Council asked the police department to return with recommendations for crime prevention measures, including whether cameras, motion sensors or other technology could be used and how many cameras and how long footage would be retained. The police chief noted that, for the Moon Tree incident, the department had not received a criminal report before the meeting and thus had no investigative leads at that time.
A motion to approve a $5,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction passed 7-0. The council asked parks staff to present options to the Parks & Recreation Committee about signage, cameras and other deterrents and directed the police department to evaluate feasible monitoring and enforcement options.
Councilmembers said they wanted to send a clear message that vandalism of public property, and particularly damage to items tied to the city's heritage, will not be tolerated and that the city will use financial and enforcement tools to pursue perpetrators.
