Glen Oaks United Methodist Church on South Polk Street in Oak Cliff has been burglarized four times in the past two weeks, but that has not deterred the congregation from continuing its community activities.
“We are perplexed, but we have to continue our work,” Pastor Annelda Crawford told The Dallas Express.
Work includes two church services last Sunday and a health and wellness fair in the parking lot next Saturday.
Over the past two weeks, 11 air conditioning units have been stolen from the church property. The first theft of three units occurred on April 15, between midnight and 2 a.m. Thieves returned days later, stole more units, and then struck again a third time.
According to Crawford, the air conditioning units were concealed behind a brick wall and protected by a metal cage with a saw-proof lock. Still, these defenses did not dissuade the robbers. She says they sawed through the metal cage to access the units.
On their fourth hit, the perpetrators took a different approach. They entered the building through the kitchen and cut through the ceiling to access the mechanical room, where they ripped out copper wiring. In the process, the intruders cut a water line, causing substantial damage to the kitchen, the sanctuary, and the fellowship hall. Despite the damage and the mess, church services were held on Sunday.
“We love this community and want to continue to be a blessing to the community,” explained Crawford.
Crawford also expressed concern for homeowners in the quiet neighborhood, where many residents are older.
“What happened here could happen on a smaller scale at any of the homes in the neighborhood,” Crawford said to DX. That is another reason she is asking for the community’s help to find out who is “making this mischief.”
Fortunately, the church property is covered by insurance, but it will take some time and patience to work through the insurance paperwork and complete the repairs. In the meantime, Crawford is taking practical steps to further protect the church property by installing alarms and surveillance video. She has also asked the local police department to mark the church property with yellow crime tape to alert the neighborhood that these crimes have taken place.
Crawford asks that anyone who may have seen suspicious activity on the church property or has information about the thefts contact the police.