NEW ORLEANS — Monday officers were buzzing around a local arts center on LaSalle St. after receiving reports of burglary and vandalism. Teachers at the center say someone broke in and destroyed the inside of what they call a haven for the area’s young people.
“There is a spirit or energy here that is not positive,” said Inez Jordan, Executive Director of the YaYa Arts Center, as she looked around and surveyed the damage Monday.
Jordan says Sunday an unknown man broke into the center and wreaked havoc.
“They started upstairs, turned over and flipped over and threw around what they could. Spread paint on just about everything,” said James Vella, of the YaYa Arts Center.
The person damaged the center’s elevator, alarm system, and turned over desks, shelves and chairs throughout the center. Broke art installations and stabbed furniture with a pair of scissors.
“I wish we could understand it,” said Jordan. “What I do know is this is definitely a signal that someone needs help and I’m hoping that they get it.”
The man was caught on camera hopping the fence at the center. Leaders say he was in the building for more than two hours. Monday the center was to begin its fall programming, but now it's delayed because of the vandalism.
“I can’t imagine that someone would want to have vengeance on an after-school art program for kids,” said Vella.
The team at YaYa is still assessing the damage and the big price tag that will come with fixing and replacing stolen items.
Monday police showed up to process the scene.
“More than the damage, this is cleanable,” said Jordan. “We’ll get volunteers in here, we’ll clean this out, but there is a human being out there that is suffering.
Jordan says the students are going to be impacted by the closure.
“YaYa is resilient,” said Jordan. “This is just an opportunity to prove to ourselves that nothing will get in the way when it comes to art and developing our youth because they deserve it.”