“Don’t mess with our scarecrows,” Buchanan Scarecrows returning downtown after Vandalism

Buchanan, Mich. -- Each year, handmade scarecrows line downtown Buchanan.

For the community, they are a beloved tradition that helps raise money for scholarships and local organizations.

But this year’s display was disrupted after two juveniles were caught on camera vandalizing over 20 scarecrows, according to Buchanan police.

Bethany Cowan, a bartender at McCoy Creek Tavern, said the scarecrows have become a staple of the community.

“It’s kind of a staple of the community. Like, don’t mess with our scarecrows. They’re sacred,” Cowan said.

Buchanan Scarecrow Charities spends months preparing the displays. The organization starts crafting in January to create more than 200 scarecrows for the annual tradition.

The vandalism came as volunteers were wrapping up their work for the year.

“I am just so disappointed,” said Betsy Kutemeier, vice president of Buchanan Scarecrow Charities. “We were finally finishing up from January, and we were going to get a little break here.”

Instead, volunteers spent the afternoon repairing the damaged scarecrows.

Kutemeier said mag needed to be restuffed or have parts rebuilt and reattached.

“I don’t know if they thought this would be funny. I just thought it was really mean,” she said. “It was more than a prank.”

Buchanan Police Chief Harvey Burnett said some scarecrows were beheaded, while other items were removed and thrown into the creek.

Police identified the juveniles with help from surveillance video and tips from Buchanan businesses.

Burnett said the damage is estimated at more than $2,000; charges are now pending with the prosecutor’s office.

Despite the vandalism, Kutemeier said the community response has been overwhelmingly supportive.

“We’ve had quite a few phone calls saying, ‘We’ll help you,’” she said. “Even kids have said, ‘Can we come help you?’ So, I guess I’ll outweigh the good with the bad and I’ll go for the good side.”

Volunteers hope to have the damaged scarecrows repaired and back downtown by Wednesday.