Queens, NY – Senator Jeffrey Klein (D-NY), religious officials and community residents met on Sunday to propose legislation to increase penalties for thefts and vandalism at religious institutions.
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The press conference was in response to the rash of break-ins at Bronx churches and synagogues.
Members of the Zoodohos Peghe Greek Orthodox Church are not letting the vandalism and robberies of their house of worship interfere with celebrating their faith. Over 500 attended a tribute to the Greek Saints for Education.
Zoodohos Peghe Greek Orthodox Church, located at 3573 Bruckner Boulevard, was vandalized on January 7. Vandals destroyed an intricate wood carving and stole $50 from the donation box.
According to Senator Klein, there were other houses of worship that were targeted.
Temple Beth-El on City Island had its windows and doors smashed and vandals took items that were worth $10,000.
Another house of worship in the Bronx, Our Lady of Assumption Roman Catholic Church, had a laptop stolen and about $400 was taken from its school.
Senator Klein says crimes such as these must be taken seriously, particularly when cherished and irreplaceable artifacts are vandalized.