Community speaks out about Dayton church vandalized for fifth time

A Dayton church was vandalized again this week.

Holy Family Church, 140 S. Findlay St., has been damaged at least five times this year by vandals.

News Center 7's Josh Jackson talked with a few people in the community about the recent vandalism, including graffiti and someone using ball bats and rocks to break in.

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A woman who is doing construction work at a house near the church says she isn’t surprised anymore.

“It’s sad,” Ashley McGovern said. “It used to surprise me. It doesn’t anymore.”

Another woman who lives down the street from the church and has lived in the neighborhood for about a month says five times is too many.

“It’s kind of rough because that’s a place that people go to worship and be safe,” Amber West said. “It shouldn’t be one or two.”

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Police reports have been filed for the incidents, but residents feel that’s not enough.

“Every day, up and down, all day long, something is happening up and down this street,” West said.

New Center 7 reached out to the priest at Holy Family Church, but he declined to comment.