Purple lights stolen at Amberly’s Place

Just days into domestic violence awareness month, this October, one of the biggest family advocacy organizations in Yuma is finding their efforts dampened by vandalism.

According to Amberly’s Place staff, the purple lights outside the center were stolen early Monday morning, at about 5 a.m.

“It was sad because we’re trying to use that as a beacon of hope for people in our community,” said Diane Umphress, of Amberly’s Place.

The building had only been lit since Saturday.

Umphress says the suspect was captured on the center’s video surveillance system. They believe it was a man wearing a baseball cap but say it’s hard to get a good look at his face.

“The way our cameras were set up then, you couldn’t really see when they came right up close to the building… you can see the chords and stuff going but we didn’t get a really good shot of the person’s face,” said Umphress.

Umphress says the lights were set up on the ground to shine at the building’s sign. They cost about $250 but it’ll be another $1000 to replace them since they will have to hook them up from the building’s roof.

“It’s money that could’ve been used for something else but I think it’s really important,” said Umphress, ” We’re going to put them up again and we’re hoping that they will stay. We want them [victims of domestic violence] to drive by at night and see that purple light and know that ‘when you’re ready, we’re here.'”

To learn more about Amberly’s Place, click here.

Anyone with information as to the theft is asked to contact local law enforcement.