New Jackie Robinson statue comes with increased security measures
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — New security measures are being implemented to protect the replacement Jackie Robinson statue, which city leaders say will also make McAdams Park safer for the public.
The executive director of League 42, Bob Lutz, received the new statue Friday morning and immediately headed to court for the sentencing of Ricky Alderete, one of the men responsible for the theft and destruction of the previous statue.
Alderete received a 15-year sentence as well as a $41,000 restitution for the crime.
“I’m sorry … I’m embarrassed. I’m ashamed. And whatever you do to me, I’ll accept it,” Alderete said during his sentencing.
Lutz says that the impact of Alderete’s actions is widespread.
“The children who represent us, they took the reality of the statue’s death in their own way, and it was a strong dose of negativity,” Lutz said in a victim statement following the sentencing.
Lutz has still managed to find compassion through the negativity.
“I personally bear no ill will toward Ricky Alderete. In fact, I do hope he finds a way to right his life,” Lutz said.
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There’s now a replacement statue standing where the previous one was, this time with increased security. According to City Council member Brandon Johnson, these measures make McAdams Park safer as a whole.
“If someone was to try now, they’ve got to haul that thing a little farther and we’ll have some really good video of them doing it,” Johnson said.
The statue sits on a higher base, protected with traffic bollards and is being watched by additional security cameras. Lutz and Johnson both hope that this will allow the focus of League 42 to return to the game of baseball and teach the lessons of Robinson’s legacy.
“Kids playing baseball. Kids learning about his values and the values of the league. When you steal that statue, it wasn’t necessarily about stealing from us adults, it was the kids that play and practice and enjoy the sport,” Johnson said.
“When we named our league after Jackie Robinson, we understood the responsibility that comes with that. Jackie represents so much that is good, and we teach his lessons as much as we can,” Lutz said.
The new statue is being unveiled Monday in McAdams Park at 6 p.m.
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