(FOX40.COM) — A Stockton church is pleading for action after a series of crimes, vandalism, and other safety concerns have left parishioners feeling unsafe.
Volunteers and leaders at Saint Gertrude’s Church say the violence and property damage have been escalating over the years, and they are now calling on city officials to consider solutions to protect the church and make nearby streets safer for students and churchgoers.
For decades, St. Gertrude’s has been known as a place of comfort and prayer. However, now, many feel it has become a target.
Members said they’ve endured repeated incidents of vandalism, arson, shattered windows, church doors burned, a Virgin Mary mural burned, and even a cross outside the church was set on fire.
Armando Valerio, a volunteer and parishioner with the church, said the violence is not limited to property.
“Most recently, we had a trio of women who got robbed,” said Valerio. “Last year, we had a gentleman, our former custodian, who got robbed and got his teeth knocked out.”
Adding to their safety concerns is speeding traffic outside the church, which parishioners said has made crossing the street dangerous for students and especially some of the elderly who attend the church.
“We have put in an application for the traffic mitigation, but we put that in about five or six years ago. We were 64 on the list, now we’re 54, so it’s not going to happen any time soon,” said Valerio.
While parishioners, including Valerio, are now performing their own traffic control as crossing guards and have launched a GoFundMe to help build a gate around the church for protection, they said it’s not enough.
“We need resources and grants, whatever you have available to us, and I know it’s difficult, I know it’s challenging, but we need some help over here. We can’t keep doing it ourselves,” said Valerio.
FOX40 has reached out to the City of Stockton for comment on the church’s concerns and is awaiting a response.
Josie Heart
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