Police Investigating After Oakville Church Vandalized
Published October 11, 2017 at 12:45 am
Halton police are investigating after a church was vandalized in Oakville.
Halton police are investigating after a church was vandalized in Oakville.
“It’s just so frustrating to see the disrespect that people can have for God’s house,” said Oakville Christian Centre administrator Sharon Harrikissoon.
The centre “has been in downtown Oakville for over 20 years and this is the first time that something like this has happened. We do, however, continue to pray for the culprit.”
The centre’s exterior signage was damaged — letters are bolted on the wall at 146 Trafalgar Rd., at Randall St.
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Investigators say the incident took place between Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, although the time isn’t clear.
“At this time, the damage to the Christian Centre is being investigated as a mischief under the Criminal Code,” said Sgt. Dana Nicholas.
Bishop Jameel Ali says it’ll cost roughly $900 to fix the damage.
He’s the one who stumbled upon the debris on Oct. 1.
“I normally park on the other side of the building toward the dentist [on Trafalgar],” said Ali.
“I noticed the sign was all broken up.”
He says one of the interlock stones had been removed.
“They knocked off the word ‘Christ’,” said Ali, adding “I’m a little bit disappointed.”
The only word left intact was ‘Oakville.’
“We don’t know what this is about,” Ali said.
He said arrangements were made on Oct. 10 to have the signage fixed.
There are no surveillance cameras on the property, Ali said, since “we’ve never had a problem.”
But now “we’re talking about putting it in.”
Some members are local – from north Oakville and Burlington – while others travel from Mississauga and North York.
Ali says there were folks at the OCC until about 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 30.
“They didn’t see anything,” he said.
Nonetheless, “it’s a bit disturbing to see what’s happening,” said Ali.
“i’ve been in Oakville for 47 years and never seen anything like this.”
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