Baby Jesus statue vandalized again at a Sudbury church
For a second time in six years, vandals have beheaded a statue of Jesus at a church in Sudbury’s downtown core.
Officials at Sainte-Anne-Des-Pins Catholic Church said the statue of Mary and baby Jesus has been vandalized on two separate occasions this year alone.
"The statue itself seems to be an article they focus on," said Michel Chretien, with Sainte-Anne-Des-Pins. "First of all, the arms were broken maybe a month and a half ago, and then the head itself was gone."
In addition to the statue being damaged, those involved with the church said there has been other property damaged over the past few years.
"We’ve had wires for the internet, wires for the air conditioning cut -- even a few weeks back we had a small tree cut on the grounds,” Chretien said.
The church has added surveillance cameras as well as private property signage around its grounds, but Chretien said that has not kept vandals away.
"We do pick up 10 to 30 needles a day, especially in the mornings. At the moment, we are studying the possibility of putting a fence around the church grounds. It should be done within the next (year) or so,” he said.
Greater Sudbury Police said in the past several months, officers have conducted 960 patrols either on foot, by bike or in their cruisers in the downtown area.
"This is a 52 per cent increase in comparison to last year," said Kaitlyn Dunn, a spokesperson for the Greater Sudbury Police Service. "During COVID-19, we have seen a lot of our vulnerable population displaced in the downtown core and with this reduction in foot traffic as well as vehicle traffic, we have seen an increase in the visibility of crime. So, break and enters, mischiefs, and property thefts."
Dunn said it’s important for community members and business owners to report all property crimes through the online reporting system.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.