The Birmingham News: Churches across the Birmingham, Ala., metropolitan area have become something more than a place to pray in recent weeks. They've become a place to prey.
Police have been called to theft and burglary incidents at churches across the Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area at least 21 times in the past two months, records show. Burglars have taken everything from expensive sound equipment and musical instruments to toilet paper and paper towels. More casual and opportunistic thieves, who wander the church halls during services, have picked up purses and personal electronic equipment.
Patrick Cobb, director of Youth Ministries at South Highland Presbyterian Church, may have been the most recent victim during worship services Sunday. A thief slipped into his office and stole a laptop computer and his PDA - his "brain" as he calls it.
Cobb is struggling with the loss. Not just of the equipment, but the idea that he's going to have to start locking his door. He's conflicted, wondering if he still really believes the sign outside the church that says "all are welcome."
