Churches in Prince William County, Va., have reported nine
burglaries since the beginning of 2005, and many are
blaming a lack of alarm systems. In most of the crimes, the
burglars broke in through a window or opened an unlocked
door at night. Police officers and church officials are
baffled because often nothing was taken, according to the
Washington Post.
In one case, a single dollar bill was taken from a desk drawer.
Minister Jeff Harris, of the Church of Christ at Dale City, and his colleagues initially considered purchasing alarm systems for their churches when the incidents began, but told the Post they decided against it because of the cost of potential false alarms. About a week later, burglars broke into his church through a back window and stole a $1,700 laptop and briefcase from the building’s office.
Harris says he doesn’t understand why the burglars didn’t take more expensive items, but isn’t letting that “good fortune” prevent him from taking action to protect his church. Church leaders around the county have plans to put bars around their windows and are also seriously considering the alarm systems that were initially dismissed.
