Vancouver police are calling on witnesses to report suspicious activity around churches, following a major spike in crimes at religious properties..“We’re reminding people to be proactive and to report anything unusual at church properties, because we’re concerned this could escalate into a situation where someone gets badly hurt,” said Sgt. Steve Addison..“If you see anyone who looks suspicious and you think they’re about to commit a crime, please don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.”.The department is currently investigating 13 incidents of “mischief and vandalism” relating to churches and church properties that have taken place since June 2..Rocks being thrown through windows, buildings defaced with paint, and threats of arson are among the incidents listed by VPD, who has assigned specialized investigators from the Property Crime Unit to gather evidence..Incidents of note:.A church building near Little Mountain was vandalized around 9 p.m. on June 8 by four people dressed in black. They threw red paint on property, posted signs, and painted graffiti that referenced residential schools;An unknown person threatened to burn down a church in South Vancouver on Canada Day;A church in Renfrew-Collingwood was vandalized 10:45 p.m. on Canada Day by two women who threw orange paint on the side of the building;Sometime between July 4 and July 7, someone threw a rock through the window of a church in Kitsilano;The pastor of a South Cambie church was making his early-morning rounds on July 20 when he discovered a gallon of lighter fluid and rags near the side of the building at 4 a.m. He also saw a suspicious man standing in the middle of the road staring at the church..While most of these crimes took place at night or early in the morning, many churches and church properties are occupied around the clock, putting people in danger, said police..“Fortunately, nobody has been hurt in these Vancouver incidents and most of the damage has been minor,” said Addison..“However, we’re growing more concerned each day by the escalation of these crimes and their brazen nature, and we’re calling on the people responsible for these crimes to stop..“There are more productive ways to voice your anger and express your views.”.A common response to the concerns raised by Addison is to focus on identity, with some saying that a white man, being in a position of “privilege,” has no business lecturing “racialized” minorities on what an appropriate means of expressing their concern is..Focusing primarily on ones identity is an easy way to dismiss the validity of their words without addressing the message behind them. In Addison’s case, the message simply being: vandalism and arson is wrong..First Nation’s leaders across Canada agree that arson and vandalism is wrong, and have publicly condemned such incidents..“To burn things down is not our way,” said Perry Bellegarde who served as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations..“Our way is to build relationships and come together.”.Some public figures – such as former executive director of the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), Harsha Walia, who famously tweeted “Burn it all down” amid attacks on Canadian churches – represent a louder and more forceful faction of culture..In response to Walia’s inflammatory statement, plenty of such individuals joined the party..Journalist Erica Ifill tweeted, “This seems appropriate but as usual Canadian whiteness is gleefully tone-policing and harassing a powerful, racialized woman from telling the truth.”.An Ontario MPP, Dr. Rima Berns-McGown, who describes herself as a biracial, Jewish, Muslim, fighting “systemic isms & schisms” wherever she finds them, also jumped to Walia’s defence saying, “She is smart, principled, thoughtful, fierce in the best way. You know you’re effective when ppl who support inequity & the old racist colonial ways come at you. Change is gonna come regardless, & Harsha is a true leader.”.Walia’s “leadership” also captivated Canadian lawyer Naomi Sayers, who said that she would help Walia burn it all down and defend anyone charged with arson if they “actually did burn things.”.Both Sayers and Walia have since claimed that their words weren’t intended as “literal.”.On Wednesday, Calgary police released a set of three grainy photos of suspects who they believe are responsible for a series of church attacks, including arson..As for the incidents in Vancouver, no arrests have been made..Anyone with information is asked to call 604-717-0613. Crimes-in-progress or suspicious activities should be reported immediately to 9-1-1..Reid Small is a BC correspondent for the Western Standard.rsmall@westernstandardonline.com
Vancouver police are calling on witnesses to report suspicious activity around churches, following a major spike in crimes at religious properties..“We’re reminding people to be proactive and to report anything unusual at church properties, because we’re concerned this could escalate into a situation where someone gets badly hurt,” said Sgt. Steve Addison..“If you see anyone who looks suspicious and you think they’re about to commit a crime, please don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.”.The department is currently investigating 13 incidents of “mischief and vandalism” relating to churches and church properties that have taken place since June 2..Rocks being thrown through windows, buildings defaced with paint, and threats of arson are among the incidents listed by VPD, who has assigned specialized investigators from the Property Crime Unit to gather evidence..Incidents of note:.A church building near Little Mountain was vandalized around 9 p.m. on June 8 by four people dressed in black. They threw red paint on property, posted signs, and painted graffiti that referenced residential schools;An unknown person threatened to burn down a church in South Vancouver on Canada Day;A church in Renfrew-Collingwood was vandalized 10:45 p.m. on Canada Day by two women who threw orange paint on the side of the building;Sometime between July 4 and July 7, someone threw a rock through the window of a church in Kitsilano;The pastor of a South Cambie church was making his early-morning rounds on July 20 when he discovered a gallon of lighter fluid and rags near the side of the building at 4 a.m. He also saw a suspicious man standing in the middle of the road staring at the church..While most of these crimes took place at night or early in the morning, many churches and church properties are occupied around the clock, putting people in danger, said police..“Fortunately, nobody has been hurt in these Vancouver incidents and most of the damage has been minor,” said Addison..“However, we’re growing more concerned each day by the escalation of these crimes and their brazen nature, and we’re calling on the people responsible for these crimes to stop..“There are more productive ways to voice your anger and express your views.”.A common response to the concerns raised by Addison is to focus on identity, with some saying that a white man, being in a position of “privilege,” has no business lecturing “racialized” minorities on what an appropriate means of expressing their concern is..Focusing primarily on ones identity is an easy way to dismiss the validity of their words without addressing the message behind them. In Addison’s case, the message simply being: vandalism and arson is wrong..First Nation’s leaders across Canada agree that arson and vandalism is wrong, and have publicly condemned such incidents..“To burn things down is not our way,” said Perry Bellegarde who served as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations..“Our way is to build relationships and come together.”.Some public figures – such as former executive director of the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), Harsha Walia, who famously tweeted “Burn it all down” amid attacks on Canadian churches – represent a louder and more forceful faction of culture..In response to Walia’s inflammatory statement, plenty of such individuals joined the party..Journalist Erica Ifill tweeted, “This seems appropriate but as usual Canadian whiteness is gleefully tone-policing and harassing a powerful, racialized woman from telling the truth.”.An Ontario MPP, Dr. Rima Berns-McGown, who describes herself as a biracial, Jewish, Muslim, fighting “systemic isms & schisms” wherever she finds them, also jumped to Walia’s defence saying, “She is smart, principled, thoughtful, fierce in the best way. You know you’re effective when ppl who support inequity & the old racist colonial ways come at you. Change is gonna come regardless, & Harsha is a true leader.”.Walia’s “leadership” also captivated Canadian lawyer Naomi Sayers, who said that she would help Walia burn it all down and defend anyone charged with arson if they “actually did burn things.”.Both Sayers and Walia have since claimed that their words weren’t intended as “literal.”.On Wednesday, Calgary police released a set of three grainy photos of suspects who they believe are responsible for a series of church attacks, including arson..As for the incidents in Vancouver, no arrests have been made..Anyone with information is asked to call 604-717-0613. Crimes-in-progress or suspicious activities should be reported immediately to 9-1-1..Reid Small is a BC correspondent for the Western Standard.rsmall@westernstandardonline.com
