Annunciation Parishioners,
As some of you have already heard, last Friday at about 4:30pm there was an unsuccessful attempt to steal my Kia Sportage. While they were not able to steal the vehicle it was vandalized. This is unfortunately the third incident of vandalism at our church. There have also been suspicious vehicles “patrolling” our parking lot both at night and during the day.
Our church is certainly not the only area in Rochester where these crimes are occurring and they have been happening with increased frequency. I am writing this information not to scare anyone but to be sure that we are extra vigilant when exiting and entering our vehicles.
In response to this new reality the Parish Council and I have initiated several measures of increased security for everyone’s safety.
- Our church is outfitted with five (5) outside cameras which record live 24/7 every day and thus we are able to capture criminal incidents and suspicious behavior.
- The Parish Council secured the services of a security watchman who was posted at our rear parking lot each evening of Holy Week and we are discussing security options moving forward.
- We are working with two parishioners well experienced in security protocols and the Rochester Police dept to create a current security manual that outlines what measures need to be taken for various scenarios that could present a hazard.
- We require that all entrance doors, whether church or hall MUST NOT BE PROPPED OPEN.
- We encourage all of you that if you see suspicious activity do not hesitate to call 911 and report this to those who are on Narthex duty.
~ Fr Angelo