JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A youth athletic association on Jacksonville’s Eastside is without thousands of dollars of equipment after the founder of the Henry Brown Athletic Association says football gear was stolen.
Tercel McKenzie says the locks were cut and the storage facility was ransacked with the equipment and concession items missing. McKenzie says the theft happened several weeks ago at Henry Brown Kooker Park on Bennett Street.
McKenzie says football helmets and other equipment was taken. McKenzie says the association is self-funded and much of the equipment is purchased with out-of-pocket costs.
“I wouldn't want anyone to slow up the momentum of the youth that's currently trying to do positive things. We see all the time about deadly shootings and drive-bys and things of that nature. A program and an organization, especially in a lower income area, don't slow down their momentum,” McKenzie told First Coast News.
Players are currently getting ready for a baseball tournament next week and will then move to football season.
McKenzie created a GoFundMe page to help recoup the losses of the equipment.