East Sacramento community groups raise enough money to replace stolen sign

(FOX40.COM) — Community groups said they have raised enough money to replace a stolen sign that welcomes visitors to East Sacramento.

The East Sacramento Community Association (ESCA) began raising money for a new “Welcome to East Sacramento” sign at McKinley Park after the original one was stolen in April.

The ESCA is a non-profit led by volunteers composed of residents in the East Sacramento community. The volunteer group worked with Friends of East Sacramento, which is managed by two East Sacramento residents, to raise $3,000 for replacement costs.

McKinly Park visitors would often see the green and white sign on the corner of H Street and Alhambra Boulevard. The sign was not city owned, as it was originally donated to the park through a project from Friends of East Sacramento.

“Thanks to the generosity of members of the East Sacramento community, sufficient funds have been raised to both replace the welcome sign and to add enhance security features including the addition of lighting,” ESCA president Tricia Stevens said in a statement.

Sacramento Police said the sign was stolen around 3 a.m. on April 14 and a police report was filed nine days later.

During an initial investigation, police canvassed nearby neighborhoods for possible witnesses and cameras that may have captured the suspects, police said.

Police were also checking online to see if items related to the sign are being sold, police said.

After the new sign is installed, community groups will host a celebration of the replacement sign at a later date and time.

“The Welcome to East Sacramento sign has become an iconic symbol of our neighborhood and we are thrilled that so many people supported our efforts to replace it,” Friends of East Sacramento co-founder Lisa Schmidt said in a statement.

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