More anti-Pride vandalism has hit Ladner United Church, this time with someone fixing a blow torch to a pole and trying to burn or melt the security cameras mounted up high on the church exterior.
The incident happened early Monday (Aug. 12) and the church’s video shows someone wearing a mask pointing the torch towards the cameras.
As well, the pride flag that’s mounted high up in the entranceway, was also vandalized, with holes melted into the flag.
The pane glass window next to the door, was also smashed, though it didn’t shatter.
“That’s the second time the window has been smashed,” said minister Nancy Painter. “Somebody doesn’t think a church should be inclusive, I guess but that’s not what we think.”
Ladner United Church, in Ladner Village and built in 1893, has been the target of many vandalism incidents.
In November 2023, someone shattered a window in the church that had been displaying a Pride flag.
In May 2023, someone poured black paint across the front entrance, doors and front outside walls of the church.
In late August 2021, the Pride flag was damaged after being vandalized previously just a few weeks earlier that same month.
She acknowledges it is upsetting.
“It hasn’t changed the church’s stance and it’s not going to,” Painter said. “Our church believes that everyone is one of God’s children and everyone should be included and treated with respect.
“It’s upsetting for people to feel attacked, members of the congregation,” and introducing fire adds another element of fear, she said.
No one has ever visited and said they disagree with the church’s position, she added.
“It’s really frightening. It certainly seems like it’s an escalation from throwing paint at the windows,” she added.
The church has already contacted a company about replacing the glass and the pride flag, which has been up since Pride Month in June, and which will remain until after the Delta Pride Picnic this Sunday.
She said the incidents have been happening for several years, usually once a year, usually associated with Pride Month.
Delta police A/Insp. James Sandberg confirmed they are investigating an incident about vandalism directed towards the Pride Flag but haven’t issued a news release as they’ve done in the past seeking public help because they’re looking at other ways of identifying a suspect.
