Flowers abound at the Evergreen-Washelli cemetery on Aurora Avenue North, often providing a source of comfort for mourners. There are bouquets of red roses, potted azaleas, yellow marigolds and even purple leafy kale.
But beneath the rosy surface lies an ongoing problem: Thieves have been taking flowers off of the graves, evading detection while angering patrons.
Evergreen-Washelli CEO Paul Elvig explained that cemetery theft is a nationwide epidemic and that all cemeteries are susceptible. Elvig, a former Washington state regulator of cemeteries, is the vice president of the International Cemetery Funeral Association.
As a veteran of the industry, he has dealt with this issue for more than 30 years and has seen the pain that it causes its victims. Some are driven to tears; others respond in anger and lash out. Once, an indignant woman took a slug at Elvig because of stolen flowers, he said.
Stealing 'hurtful and callous'
Elvig indicated that flower thefts happen regularly and generally occur near the perimeter of the grounds where people can "snatch and run." Potted flowers and plants are the most sought-after items, as well as fresh bouquets and holiday decorations, such as wreaths.
Grounds superintendent Ken Martin, who has worked at Evergreen-Washelli for 36 years, maintained that they get two to three theft complaints a month and more during the holidays. He also suggested that the number could be higher as he believes that many flower thefts go unreported.
When thefts do happen, he said, the victims often point their fingers at the employees. Martin explained that employees know that they will be fired if caught taking flowers for personal use, even dead ones.
According to Elvig, there are various explanations behind the disappearance of flowers. Misunderstandings sometimes occur when groundskeepers remove flowers off of graves, throwing away the expired ones that some still regard as fresh. And occasionally flowers are mistakenly put on the wrong grave.
Crows are also responsible. Elvig has seen them tipping over vases and removing the flowers to get at the water.
However, it's outright malicious theft that really angers Elvig. He believes that flowers play an important role for those who are grieving, and that pilfering them is a hurtful, callous act.
"When you leave flowers, you leave a piece of your heart. It's not a passing whim; it's a reaching out for something lost," Elvig said. "Stealing flowers or vandalizing [graves]...it's as low as you can get."
Unwelcome guests
Northgate-Maple Leaf resident Linda McCaw has experienced the emotional pain caused by this kind of theft. The graves of her late husband and brother have been targeted by thieves numerous times over the years.
McCaw decorates and tends to their graves daily. She feels that her gravesite is sought out because it is abundantly decorated and located close to street access.
At a glance, one can see that McCaw's site stands apart from her neighbors'. The grave markers are adorned with colorful cut flowers, a family photograph, miniature windmills and tiny angel figurines.
McCaw explained that theft has been an ongoing problem for her. At one point, thieves were taking flowers every day for three weeks. She would replace them, but the next day they would be gone. In frustration, she left a note for the thieves stating, "Why must you steal from the dead? Obviously you have a cold heart."
The culprits wrote back saying, "Sorry you don't understand," and then took more flowers.
McCaw isn't the only one targeted. She pointed out that gravesites close to hers have also been stolen from. One woman had a 6-foot Christmas tree taken, though the tree didn't get very far as groundskeepers later found it close to the road.
McCaw doesn't know who the culprits are but believes they strike when the grounds are closed, either after dusk or in the early mornings.
Both McCaw and Elvig remarked that all kinds of people, young and old, steal from the cemetery. One Sunday afternoon, McCaw witnessed an elderly woman pull up in a car and reach out with her cane to pull in a flower pot.
To catch a thief
Groundskeeper Kai Chinn, who has worked at Evergreen-Washelli for nine years, has known about the thefts but never caught anyone until recently.
In mid-September, Chinn and another groundskeeper caught a group stealing flowers in broad daylight. They were working in the east lot when they noticed three men removing fresh, potted flowers from individual graves. One of the men had his 5-year-old son with him.
As the culprits were loading the plants into a van, the workers confronted the thieves and prevented them from escaping by blocking their vehicle. Officers arrived at the scene, as did a TV news crew who got wind of the incident.
The suspects had no outstanding warrants and were identified and released. Though they are still at large, the case is being investigated and will go to a prosecutor, who will determine if there is enough evidence to press charges.
According to police, stealing from graves - which are private property - is a misdemeanor that is punishable by a maximum of one year in jail, a $5,000 fine or both. Both Elvig and Martin said that rarely are the thieves prosecuted, and that they only apprehend people once or twice a year.
Because of the size of the 160-acre cemetery, the number of people who visit and the many entrances used for access, Evergreen-Washelli employees say that it's no easy task to catch thieves in the act.
According to Elvig, there are anywhere from 50 to 75 visitors on weekdays, and the number increases to 100 to 150 on weekends. The busiest time of the year is Memorial Day weekend, which attracts 5,000 to 6,000.
During holidays, Martin only opens the main gates; he said this has slowed down theft in high-impact areas.
"It's an inconvenience for families, but they understand why," he remarked.
To address this ongoing problem, Elvig stated that they are keeping their eyes open for suspicious activity. The cemetery employs 19 part-time and full-time groundskeepers who observe vehicles entering and leaving the premises.
Martin added that when they hear of an area being targeted, they patrol the area more frequently, which usually slows down the activity. In addition, they employ a private security service that checks on the cemetery at night, and city police also patrol the area on a regular basis.
Linda McCaw commends the employees for trying, noticing a reduction in incidences; despite their efforts, however, the ever-elusive thieves continue to strike. Elvig suggests that visitors and those who live nearby the cemetery help prevent thefts by coming into the office to report suspicious activity.
"It's the best thing a citizen can do," he commented.
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