Churches called on to put more safety measures in place

Police in Grenada say that they have observed a surge in robbery at religious institutions and want church administrators to place marks on properties owned by churches, so that they can be quickly and easily identified.

“It’s not a case where we are seeing people stealing food from the churches, but valuable things such as musical instruments, sacramental wines and even candles,” said Head of the Community Relations Department of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), Rebecca Jones.

Encouraging churches and faith-based organisations to increase safety measures this festive
season, given the recent spate of break-ins at places of worship, Jones said that the upswing in crime against churches became obvious during the last six months of the year.

“We are making this plea for the festive season, but we noticed the increase robbery on church properties a few weeks,” said Jones, who is not certain if there is an underground market for musical instruments as this is one of the more popular things stolen from churches.

A statement from the RGPF called on church administrators to ensure houses of worship are properly secured and locked, and identification marks are placed on musical instruments and other valuables.

“Members are encouraged to pay particular attention to opportunist thieves in their congregation, who may be visiting for illicit purposes,” said the statement, which encouraged church members who live in close proximity to make periodic checks on church buildings and report anything suspicious to the police.

In providing an update on the spate of robberies at the places of worship, the police said that unrelenting efforts by criminal investigators have led to major breakthroughs in a string of island-wide break-ins and related offences.

Four men have been arrested and charged in connection with 21 reported matters, which began in August 2013. So far various charges related to housebreaking, and housebreaking and stealing have been laid against Kevon George, 22 years old of Crochu, St. Andrew; Donel Williams, 20 years of Mt. Horne, St. Andrew; and Grand Anse, St. George residents, Rodney Thomas, 23 years and Enroy Williams.

Of the reported cases, five are church related with most of the offences taking place in the parishes of St. Andrew, St. Patrick, St. David and St. George. More than eight charges have been laid against George, who was jointly charged with Donel and Thomas in relation to a break-in at the Holy Innocents Anglican Rectory in St. Andrew. Charges against George also include two counts of housebreaking and stealing committed against two Catholic priests.