LAKE ANDES -- Recent burglaries in Lake Andes and Wagner are part of a problem that some city officials think could be solved with video cameras on Main Street, if the funding were available.
On Dec. 11, thieves broke a front window out of Wollman's Andes Pharmacy in Lake Andes, stealing tobacco and tobacco papers. It was the third time the store had been burglarized this year.
Blaha's, a business on Wagner's Main Street, was burglarized on Dec. 9. Thieves removed men's Nike apparel and basketballs.
Lake Andes Mayor Dan Park said he is in favor of installing cameras on Main Street, but he said the financial resources don't exist for such a project.
Last year, the city considered installing cameras and attempted to obtain funds from the Department of Homeland Security. However, city officials later learned no funds were available.
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Despite the recent burglaries, Park said he has not heard from local residents interested in the project. However, he is hoping that a grant or other form of monetary assistance will become available in the future.
"We've always been watching it," he said. "I don't see where we lost interest, but no one's really checked on it lately."
Wagner Economic Development Coordinator Matt Cerny said the fund application process has been temporarily halted for both communities until a new Charles Mix director of emergency management is hired.
R.G. Svatos recently resigned the position due to illness. Cerny said the position, which is charged with applying for Homeland Security grants, may be filled by January.
"They really can't do much until that position is filled," Cerny said. "They're not allocating any funds, if that's a possibility, until the new person is brought in."
Park acknowledges that the burglaries are a problem, but nothing extreme when compared to surrounding communities.
"I don't think it's bigger than what other areas have had," he said.
While the immediate prospects for installation of Main Street cameras seem unlikely, Georgine Chytka, manager of Wollman's Andes Pharmacy, said the rash of burglaries highlights a serious need.
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"I'm sure it would help," she said. "When you get hit three times, it's quite a bit. Something has to be done."
