STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Patrol officers are increasing their presence at churches victimized in recent weeks and at all religious institutions on Staten Island, in an effort to deter further criminal activity, officials said.<\/p>\n
Also at the press conference were District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Borough President Vito Fossella, state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Rev. Jacob Thumma, the pastor of St. Ann\u2019s Church.<\/p>\n
Scarcella-Spanton, who grew up in Dongan Hills and has an extensive history with St. Ann\u2019s, also spoke out against the recent spate of crimes at Catholic churches.<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody should feel unsafe where they are praying, and here with our Catholic community, I just want you to know that we stand with you,\u201d the state senator, a Democrat who represents the North Shore and south Brooklyn, said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to be making sure that this issue is highlighted, because I think it\u2019s important to bring light to the fact that this has happened now four times.\u201d<\/p>\n