A $500 reward is being offered by the city of Bland, according to Mayor Lee Medlock, who discussed on Monday night the vandalism of the city’s well-house radio antennas that controls the water pressure for homes within the city limits.

“Friday morning, Jason (Lewis, public works director) was supposed to be on vacation,” Medlock began. “He stopped in at the shop and noticed nothing was running.”

When Lewis went to investigate, he found both water tanks empty, the antennas on both well-houses had been stolen — or vandalized as the mayor said.

“Water in the water tower was all we had left,” said the city’s appointed Marshal Dwayne Goodridge. “Once it was cut, that was it. We had to call Jay from Custom Pump.”

Lewis was able to contact a former employer to come assist with the situation.

“I offered a $500 reward for whoever has information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or individuals that vandalized and stole the two radio antennas for the water wells,” Medlock said. “Anyone with information can call city hall (573-646-3252).”

Goodridge and Lewis are working on purchasing security cameras for the vandalised area.

“They would have had to be prepared,” Medlock said, noting that the locations of the antennas would have required a ladder and special equipment to remove.

Goodridge posted notification about the incident at 8:51 a.m. on Friday morning to the Bland Missouri Police Department Facebook page.

“We put the word out on Facebook — nothing,” Goodridge said.

Alderman Diana Mayfield said she had to learn about the incident second hand from Facebook and felt that the aldermen should have been the first call after the police were called.

“If it involves the city, we should be notified,” she said. “That is what we are here for.”

Goodridge said he was not on duty that morning. Lewis called the Gasconade County Sheriff’s Department to do a report.

“It’s their case unless I find out more,” Goodridge said.

Alderman Ned Steiner, who was appointed to fill the seat of former alderman Sherry Spradling at the beginning of the meeting, asked if the city had insurance on the well-houses? City Clerk Carrie Krupp said she would have to call the insurance to find out.

“It’s not a small crime,” Goodridge commented. “It’s a felony and considered an act of terrorism. With cameras, hopefully we will be able to find out who it is.”

Steiner shook his head.

“What gets me is why someone would try to steal an antenna that wouldn’t run a HAM Radio,” Steiner said.

“You can’t fix stupid,” Goodridge said.