A statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the heart of Central Long Beach could soon be restored after an expected transfer of nearly $6,000 in funds that will be used to re-bronze the monument to the civil rights icon.
Councilwoman Suely Saro, who was elected to represent the 6th District last fall, is transferring $5,890 in funds from her district account to help restore the statue in Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The funds will cover the full cost of the restoration, Saro said.
“It’s really rusted,” Saro said of the statue. “Maybe people are used to seeing it this way, but you’re supposed to be able to see the features of his face.”
Saro said the funds would also be used to weather-proof the statue, which was installed in 1986.
The statue was vandalized July 2 with nazi symbols including what appeared to be SS bolts but because the park’s camera system was not working suspects have not been identified. The graffiti was immediately removed and police initiated an investigation that’s still ongoing.
Last month Saro asked the city to pledge $5,000 as a reward for information leading to the person or persons responsible for the vandalism. The Anti-Defamation League kicked in another $3,000 to bring the rewear money to a total of $8,000.
Earlier this month a city memo outlined the fixes the city is making to the park’s security cameras to ensure that they’re working properly going forward.
A temporary camera system has been installed to meet immediate security needs but the city’s Technology and Innovation Department said that a permanent upgrade is still being worked on but could be installed by October.
Saro said other fixes have been made, or are in the process of being completed, at other parks in her district including McBride Park. But restoring the statue was a matter of respect, Saro said.
“This is my way, as a person who has been raised to respect their elders, to ensure that things like this are taken care of,” Saro said.
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