The youth soccer facilities in Amsterdam, N.Y., have once again fallen victim to crime after thieves last week made away with sideline benches used during youth games.
The most recent theft follows a break in of the facility's concessions building back in September of 2023.
The benches were reported missing from the lower fields at Veterans Park in Amsterdam. Police suspect the thieves pulled the stakes that were holding the benches down and removed the sandbags that anchored them.
"We have 350 kids who are about to start soon, and two of our main benches are gone," said Tina Giardono, Vice President of Amsterdam Youth Soccer Club. "Why people think it’s okay to destroy something that belongs to kids, I will never understand."
The stolen benches were crucial to the Amsterdam Youth Soccer Club, a nonprofit that reintroduced little league soccer to the community five years ago.E
The club sees about 600 kids combined during their fall and spring season, and the stolen benches are valued at over $1,000.
Police do not believe this incident is connected to the theft last September at the Amsterdam Youth Soccer shed. Police plan to install cameras at the park to prevent future thefts.
