Belvedere Neighbors Rally Together, Offer Greater Reward To Find Vandals

A week since Patch first reported about a, residents have come together to offer an additional $2,000 for anyone with information that leads to an arrest.

Brenda Kehr, who's house has been repeatedly targeted by vandals, told Patch several of her neighbors offered to contribute to a reward for anyone who comes forward with information related to the recent incidents. Kehr and her husband had previously offered $500 of their own money as a reward. They are now offering a $2,500 total reward.

Immediately after Patch posted the story on May 26, Kehr said she was "bombarded with emails from neighbors."

Kehr said she has been touched by the show of support from her neighbors, some of whom she had never met before.

"I felt like we were alone," she said. "It's really touching how the neighborhood has come together."

Jim Foley, a Belvedere neighbor, told Patch he immediately offered to add to the reward money. 

"It's an awful feeling to have your house vandalized," he said. "That's awful to have to wake up to and go through."

The 60 residents of Belvedere communicate through an email list, but up until last week, they had been loosely organized, Foley told Patch. But since vandals began targeting their neighborhood, residents have become more active in the email group, he said.

"It's been a great communication tool for people to share information back and forth," said Foley. "It's heartwarming to know that the neighbors care."

Another neighbor who's car was egged earlier this year told Patch the vandalism has been distressing to all Belvedere residents.

"What has been comforting is how the neighborhood has rallied to support not only the Kehrs, but also to each of us," said the neighbor, who preferred not to reveal her name for fear of retribution from vandals. "We are all prepared to do whatever it takes to put an end to the meanness and destruction."

Last week another eggs and bologna were put in another resident's mailbox, Kehr said.

The Kehrs have displayed signs throughout the neighborhood advertising the $2,500 reward. But as of Friday afternoon, they had not received any information.

If you have information about the vandalism that leads to the arrest and conviction, you are asked to contact Stuart Kehr at (301) 233-3829 or email brice1029@gmail.com.