Jodie Eubanks

Jodie Eubanks, general manager of Hillcrest, said frequent visitors have since become more aware of suspicious activity and police officers often pass through the cemetery to curtail potential robberies.

"We have not had another problem since the initial theft," Eubanks said.

The cemetery replaced all vases at no charge to the families, which can cost up to $300 each, she said.

The cemetery has committed to replace every missing vase, as is its policy in cases of property damage at the site, said Jodie Eubanks, facilities manager at Hillcrest.

"Whether it's insurance money or no, they will be replaced ... at no charge to the families," she said.

Because it is a sensitive subject, the cemetery does not currently plan to inform family members of the theft.

"This is a very, very touchy subject," she said.
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That position may change if her superiors decide to notify all affected families, Eubanks said.

The magnitude of the vandalism goes beyond the loss in dollars to the cemetery.

"To do it in a cemetery, to desecrate graves, that's pretty serious," Eubanks said.

"The people who did this don't have respect for anyone or anything," Eubanks said.