East Lyme — First Selectman Mark Nickerson has announced a $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people who tossed six memorial benches onto rocks below the Niantic boardwalk July 2.

By reviewing surveillance camera footage, police learned four males entered the boardwalk just after midnight July 2 via the Hole-in-the-Wall Beach entrance. They said the males arrived in a black sedan and left within 15 minutes. Police, working to identify the males, have sent some of the footage to be enhanced.

Each bench is worth about $800.

Several unnamed sources are funding the reward.

Because of the boardwalk vandalism as well as graffiti on the bandstand at McCook Point Park last year, Nickerson said the town plans to install upgraded HD cameras throughout the park system, including at McCook’s, the boardwalk, Hole-in-the-Wall Beach, Cini Park and the boardwalk and beach parking lots.

The East Lyme Public Trust Foundation is donating the cameras, which are intended to deter vandalism and promote public safety, he said. Many of the cameras will be live, so dispatchers will be able to monitor the area in real time.

The East Lyme High School Key Club raised over $500 for the installation of the cameras at McCook Point Park, Nickerson said.

Anyone with information can contact police at (860) 739-5900, through the East Lyme Police Department app, or by texting “ELPD” and their message to 847411.