- Feb 5, 2002
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One parishioner has voiced support for taking shifts walking the grounds of the church with the hopes of deterring future criminal activity.
SAN ANTONIO — At least one member of a northwest side Catholic church has expressed willingness to establish some type of community surveillance after the parish was hit by vandals on Easter Sunday.
This marks the third act of vandalism at the church over the past few weeks.
“This is a place of prayer, it’s a place where we can go out on our grounds at any time just to sit with God in prayer, listening to the birds chirp and experience in God’s creation, but unfortunately now I have to put cameras everywhere. That’s a shame,” said Father Tony Vilano during Sunday morning mass.
There’s no concrete timeline as to when exterior cameras will be installed. Vilano said one parishioner is able to pay for the surveillance system.
Meanwhile, Edna Perez-Vega is hoping there’s room for more boots on the ground solutions.
“I think having cameras like everything else, I have a Ring at my door, so it’s helpful. The reality is being present is even more so,” said Perez-Vega, who’s been attending St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for nearly 18 years. “It’s not just a building, it’s a sacred place and it’s an extension of our home as parishioners.”
Perez-Vega noted she and other parishioners are open to walking around the campus at various times throughout the day to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. She stressed this could help deter criminal activity.
Continued below.
www.kens5.com
SAN ANTONIO — At least one member of a northwest side Catholic church has expressed willingness to establish some type of community surveillance after the parish was hit by vandals on Easter Sunday.
This marks the third act of vandalism at the church over the past few weeks.
“This is a place of prayer, it’s a place where we can go out on our grounds at any time just to sit with God in prayer, listening to the birds chirp and experience in God’s creation, but unfortunately now I have to put cameras everywhere. That’s a shame,” said Father Tony Vilano during Sunday morning mass.
There’s no concrete timeline as to when exterior cameras will be installed. Vilano said one parishioner is able to pay for the surveillance system.
Meanwhile, Edna Perez-Vega is hoping there’s room for more boots on the ground solutions.
“I think having cameras like everything else, I have a Ring at my door, so it’s helpful. The reality is being present is even more so,” said Perez-Vega, who’s been attending St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for nearly 18 years. “It’s not just a building, it’s a sacred place and it’s an extension of our home as parishioners.”
Perez-Vega noted she and other parishioners are open to walking around the campus at various times throughout the day to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. She stressed this could help deter criminal activity.
Continued below.
Catholic church hit by vandals Easter Sunday, marking third incident within a month
One parishioner has voiced support for taking shifts walking the grounds of the church with the hopes of deterring future criminal activity.
www.kens5.com
