Vandals strike with anti-religious graffiti

Graffiti is one of the most senseless forms of vandalism possible since it does nothing to endear anyone to a cause and it is universally removed without much fanfare. Historic City News reporters found two recent incidents that appear to be linked to an anti-religious message; one across the Plaza from the Cathedral and the other on the Prince of Peace sign at the Mission Nombre de Dios.

This morning, Coenraad Janse Van Rensburg and a worker with his company Latitudes NE Florida LTD, went to work on the obelisk monument in the Plaza de la Constitution in an attempt to remove the black spray paint used to tag the historical marker.

The north-facing base, seen as you exit through the Cathedra Basilica’s main doors onto Cathedral Place, had been vandalized with the words “Be God” and the symbol of an upside-down cross. The south face of the sign at 100 San Marco Avenue by the Prince of Peace Votive Church had be vandalized with the same message using a similar black spray paint.

St Augustine resident and business owner, Daniel D Holiday, told Historic City News editor Michael Gold that he is disappointed in the damage being done downtown. Holiday owns rental property on Aviles Street and says he is always concerned that one of his buildings could be next, as he helped lend a hand to the cleaning of the obelisk. Holiday observed that the teenage and college aged kids downtown at night are unsupervised and can be unruly; discouraging tourists from extending their visits to St Augustine because they are afraid of being confronted with that element.

If you observe vandalism taking place, or know the identity or whereabouts of those responsible for this damage, you can remain anonymous and provide information about these crimes by calling the tip line at Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida toll-free at 1-888-277-TIPS. You could also be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.