A Grinch stole holiday lights from a public display in Beaver Dam, and now organizers are working on adding security measures to Swan Park.
"We will take those measures if we need to because we are not going to let the Grinch ruin Christmas. We are not going to let one person or a couple people ruin this display for everybody. It will continue," said Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt.
Neighbors in the area are disappointed to hear a thief swiped an animated reindeer.
"You wonder why somebody would do something that stupid," said Ray Steinich.
"Well people are that way today," said Steve Roedl.
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt chairs the Rotary Lights and he's the one that noticed someone cut a strand of lights and went out of their way to take the reindeer.
"This display was hung with three separate strands of wire that were cut with a wire cutter. It was also screwed into the side of the building," said Sheriff Schmidt.
Someone cut a strand of lights last year too and Sheriff Schmidt said the thief stole a projector. This year organizers bought materials to secure the projector better.
"We had to spend extra money for extra security measures to make sure it's not easily taken," said Schmidt.
The Rotary Club might even have to take security a step further.
"Whether it be cameras that are on all the time, or trail cameras, all of those cost money and they're not cheap," said Schmidt.
They might have to dip into donations to pay for security cameras.
"That's money and donations that are taken away that can eventually really light up the park," said Schmidt.
The Sheriff is asking people to be on the lookout for the missing display.
"We will prosecute them, we will arrest them, they will likely go to jail. So I don't want people to take this lightly. It's not really a good idea to mess with the Sheriff's lights out at the park."
If you notice the animated reindeer, contact Beaver Dam Police or the Dodge County Sheriff's Office.
"Shouldn't be the time of the year to be doing that, you know? No time of the year is the time to be doing that," said Steinich.
The lights are on every night at Swan Park. Santa will be making an appearance Saturday. If you visit the display you're encouraged to bring non-perishable items for the Beaver Dam Food Pantry.
