The East County Water Control District is asking the public for help in solving crimes that have plagued the district causing taxpayers money in extensive property damages.
Just recently the water control district has experienced theft and vandalism of district property in two locations Halfway Pond (Mirror Lakes) and Harns Marsh.
The recent theft at the district’ facilities includes the systematic removal of gates in Halfway Pond totaling approximately $2,000 in total cost
“It is alarming to know this had to be a premeditated effort which required select tools and skills to remove the gates, said David Lindsay, ECWCD District Manager.
ECWCD is working with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in an investigation and to guard against theft and destruction at its facilities and is asking the public for help in preventing this type of costly and destructive behavior, Lindsay said.
Lindsay said the destruction has spread to adjacent parcels owned by private developers. Earlier this year, the ECWCD and developers started a cost-sharing project, totaling about $20,000 to dig a ditch and install 1.25 miles of fence to protect their properties.
But since the fence has been in place, Lindsay said the theft and vandalism received in the Halfway Pond area totals around 13 percent of the initial project cost.
The district is owned by the citizens of Lehigh Acres and they are the ones who are being hurt by these crimes.