Someone stole construction equipment in Kerr County, further delaying recovery efforts from July’s deadly floods.
KERR COUNTY, Texas — A thief stealing constuction equipment is slowing down reconstruction efforts in Kerr County as the community is still recovering from July’s deadly floods. The sheriff’s office there is asking for help finding the culprit in the equipment thefts.
Kerr County Commissioner Rich Paces says someone stole a control panel off of the only chip spreader in the county. The theft happened of Elm Pass and Sanders Road where work was underway.
A chip spreader evenly spreads gravel on the road to then be sealed off for roads to be driveable again. Paces says parts of Elm Pass were damaged in last year’s floods and drivers living along that stretch of road constantly face the risk of car damage. Other areas that are now delayed include Boxwood, Booster, and Tallwood, north of Highway 27.
The commissioner says the theft of the $6,000 piece of equipment is holding up several projects and creating a problem for drivers now having to spend more time on broken roads as well as creating more expense for the county and taxpayers.
“It’s really unfortunate and tragic that someone would do this to the county, and they probably don’t realize what a ripple effect and how big of an impact it really is on so many people. Because this is, delayed all of our resurfacing chip seal program. So, you know, we hope we can catch up and and complete things that were in the plan this year, but hard to say,” Commissioner Paces said.
Commissioner Paces also says the road and bridge department uses the machine year-round to make sure other roads in the county are safe for drivers. He said a donor is letting the county borrow another chip spreader to keep up with redevelopment as a temporary fix. Commissioner Paces still wants accountability for the person who stole from the county.
If you know anything about this crime, please call the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers. You could get a reward for information leading to an arrest.