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Resident reports thefts at Goodland cemetery; commission directs staff to pursue added cameras and other steps
Summary
A Goodland resident told the commission that items have been stolen from graves, prompting a detailed staff and caretaker briefing. City staff said it will add camera coverage where feasible but noted limits from trees, power and ongoing costs; the matter will return as a discussion item.
Regina Barnes, a Goodland resident, told the City Commission during public comment that items had been stolen from graves, saying, “Some stuff was stolen off my son's grave, like, a week ago.” She asked the commission to consider additional measures after reporting that the cemetery’s single camera does not cover her son’s grave.
Joanie, the cemetery caretaker, described the board’s approach to maintenance and explained the practical limits of enforcement. “The cemetery board's rule of thumb is if it is sun faded or if it's missing a flower and it's been on the ground for a long duration, remove it,” she said. Joanie said thefts are frequent—“about every other week”—and detailed problems such as stolen spindles from the north gates and repeated instances of items being removed from graves.
City staff acknowledged the problem and outlined near-term steps. The city manager said staff is working to expand documentation and coverage but warned of limits: “We are gonna be adding cameras in a couple different locations,” and staff noted that trees, power availability and ongoing recording costs make full coverage difficult. IT/operations staff said there are currently seven cameras around city facilities and that the department is looking to add possibly six more, but that line-of-sight and power are the biggest constraints.
Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives beyond cameras, including limited gate control, improved lighting and targeted trimming to improve sight lines. One member noted that locks on gates had been problematic in the past because officers had to be called to open them overnight. Staff and the caretaker also discussed practical rules the cemetery board follows for removing faded or hazardous items and the customary Memorial Day period during which families are asked to retrieve decorations before city crews clear items for mowing.
Why it matters: cemetery theft and deterioration are recurring community concerns tied to public safety, respect for veterans and families, and operational costs. With Memorial Day approaching, commissioners said they wanted a staff report and a formal discussion item that would return to the commission with recommendations on cameras, lighting, vegetation trimming and any feasible, low-cost deterrents.
The commission agreed to place the cemetery security topic on a future discussion agenda so staff can present options and cost estimates. The caretaker asked residents to report incidents promptly and said she would continue active monitoring and contact families as appropriate.
