​Azusa National Little League Vandalism a Recurring Problem, ANLL Said

PHOTO/Courtest of the Azusa National Little League.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

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AZUSA - When the Azusa National Little League president arrived to the field Sunday morning, it was Déjà vu all over again.
 
The equipment and snack bar for the ANLL’s equipment was found vandalized for the umpteenth time. The scoreboard was heavily damaged, snacks and drinks stolen, gang graffiti litter the interior of the snack bar, which appeared to have a door kicked in to gain entry.
 
The damage this time, was much greater, according to the Azusa National Little League in an email.
 
League President Anthony Rodriguez discovered the damage April 22.
 
“We had just restocked all of the food for the snack bar which included drinks, food & chips and candy, and all of that was taken,” the ANLL said. “Our cash register which had over $200 in change, our lock box safe was also among the stolen items. They stole our easy-up canopy, paper shedder, and cans of paint.”
 
Stolen items and vandalism combined is costing the ANLL $3,220.

PHOTO/Courtesy of the Azusa National Little League.

Vandalism occurs at the field almost every year. The scoreboard had to be fixed at the beginning of the season. The snack bar had to be repainted due to vandalism, the ANLL said.
 
The chain link fence on the north side of the field that borders the apartments on the corner of Rockvale Avenue and East Sixth Street had openings cut into it, possibly allowing the vandals entry, the ANLL said.
 
“It's really hard for us to understand why anyone would do this to a Little League Organization. We are all volunteers here at Azusa National and we work really hard to have a positive impact on the community of Azusa,” the ANLL said. 
 
“Unfortunately, the area surrounding our organization is an area that is known for youth gang activity. I guess when people are surrounded with negativity and bad influences, they choose to do things of this nature because they have nothing better to do than to cause trouble for others.”
 
No one has come forward with information on any suspects and there are no cameras at the field, the ANLL said.
 
“They had tagged their names all over the bottles that were thrown onto the outfield, but the police mentioned that it was all circumstantial evidence,” the ANLL said.
 
Community members have come to the aid of the ANLL and donated soda, water, Gatorade and other snacks stolen Sunday, while others have helped cleanup and paint over the tagging in and around the snack bar.
 
ANLL members show up to the field, 551 N. Rockvale Ave., almost every day at 3 p.m. to work. Community members seeking to provide help can show up and volunteer their time or resources. 

A gofundme page is collecting donations to help pay for the damage and has so far raised $495 of the $2,500 sought.
 
“It's truly amazing all the comments and messages that we have received. We are really grateful for all the support and donations that we have received,” the ANLL said.
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