Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Investigations John R. Speirs, Morristown Police Chief Peter Demnitz, and Morris Township Police Chief Mark DiCarlo announce that on Saturday, November 25th, 2017, the Morristown Police Department and the Morris Township Police Department received calls from local churches indicating that they had been the victims of vandalism during the overnight hours. The churches are identified as follows:
• Church of God in Christ for All Saints, 3 Rowe Street, Morristown
• Bethel A.M.E. Church, 59 Spring Street, Morristown
• Calvary Baptist Church, 10 Martin Luther King Avenue, Morristown
• Union Baptist Church, 89 Spring Street, Morristown
• Morristown Church of Christ, 265 Martin Luther King Avenue, Morris Township
The vandalism was limited to property damage including a broken stained glass window and broken or damaged exterior signs. The incidents are being treated as a possible Bias Crime, however the investigation is currently active and no further information will be released at this time.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Bias Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200, the Morristown Police at 973-538-2200, or Morris Township Police at 973-539-0777. Tips can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 973-COP-CALL (973-267-2255), or going online to http://www.morriscrimestoppers.org.
Police will be increasing their presence at all local churches to ensure the continued safety of all community members, however we ask that people remain vigilant and call police if any suspicious activity is observed.