STATEN ISLAND (WABC) — The NYPD is enhancing security at houses of worship on Staten Island following a string of recent disturbances at Catholic churches.<\/p>\n
That includes an incident that happened at St. Ann’s Church in Dongan Hills last week<\/a> where a man stormed the altar, disrupted the sermon and got into a fight with two officers who tried to stop him.<\/p>\n Matthew Caffrey, 28, is charged with assaulting an officer and resisting arrest.<\/p>\n That incident last Friday morning is the latest in a string of crimes at Catholic churches across Staten Island.<\/p>\n “People should feel safe in their sanctuary and be able to worship freely,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella.<\/p>\n On Thursday, community leaders spoke out against the wrongdoing and announced a boosted police presence at religious institutions across the borough.<\/p>\n “We have also dispatched our community affairs officers to make regular visits to all of our churches,” said NYPD Staten Island Borough Commander Melissa Eger.<\/p>\n Father Jacob Thumma says surveillance cameras captured another man taking feces from a cup and smearing it on the front door of St. Sylvester ahead of Christmas morning mass.<\/p>\n Police say two other incidents from recent weeks are also under investigation.<\/p>\n “Four burglaries were committed at Sacred Heart Church, where a number of laptops and other items, including candy, were stolen,” Eger said. “Two juveniles have been arrested in connection with those crimes. In another case at St. Roch’s Church, an individual entered a window and stole a towel.”<\/p>\n Police say they have arrested the suspects in all the incidents.<\/p>\n Religious leaders believe Caffrey and the suspect accused of desecrating St. Sylvester highlight a bigger issue.<\/p>\n “We must continue to invest in mental health resources to support families, provide timely intervention before a crisis occurs,” Thumma said.<\/p>\n It’s an effort the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office says it is working on with its alternatives to incarceration program.<\/p>\n For now, they are making a promise to those targeting religious institutions: that all perpetrators are held accountable.<\/p>\n Thumma said they used to leave doors open after worship, but now they lock the doors in light of the uptick in crime. They hope with the added police presence, they won’t have to do that anymore.<\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n * More Staten Island news<\/a><\/p>\n * Send us a news tip<\/a><\/p>\n * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts<\/a> <\/p>\n * Follow us on YouTube<\/a> <\/p>\n
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