By Emily Pofahl
The HVAC system at Sweet Communion Baptist Church, Milwaukee has been broken into for the third consecutive time by vandals.
On the church’s roof, located near 35th Street & Vienna Avenue, are its cooling and heating systems. Church leaders claim that people would break open the system to steal and sell the copper wiring inside.
The WISN 12 News team was taken up to the roof of the church by Deacon Lawrence Thomas in order to assess the damages.
There is copper running through the aluminum. Thomas explained that they would take the aluminum to a scrap yard and get between 15 and 20 dollars for it.
The thieves get quick money, but the pastor says the church suffers a financial loss of $200,000
It’s frustrating, because this has happened several times,” said Pastor Brian Kenner. We no longer carry insurance to cover this kind of damage. This is financially disastrous for a small church like ours.
The church leaders stated that it occurred about three weeks earlier, on November 22.
WISN 12 News obtained surveillance video that shows two individuals using a roof ladder in the early morning hours. The thieves then turned away the surveillance camera of the church to look at the wall, just prior to the theft.
We don’t have a clue how to solve the problem. Thomas said, “We don’t even know how the money will come in.”
Thomas says that three HVAC units in the church are currently partially operating. This will provide heat for the rest of winter.
Thomas, however, said this is only a temporary solution and that he worries the units will break down at any moment.
Kenner believes that this has confirmed the need for a church in the community and no plans are being made to move the church.
“Not at all,” Kenner said. It lets us know that we are in a place where the ministry is required, and we will do our best to fulfill this need.
Leaders of the Church said that Milwaukee Police came to their church to photograph the damages and to make a report. Milwaukee Police confirmed to WISN 12 that an investigation is underway.
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