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Staff Sgt. Kurt Jacobs spoke to media in a virtual news conference Wednesday after releasing several photos of suspects. At least 11 churches were defaced with red and orange graffiti between June 30 and July 1.
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“When a faith community is targeted for vandalism or arson, it not only impacts those directly affected but leaves others in the same faith feeling unsafe,” Jacobs said.
“It also creates a risk of injury or death when hard objects are thrown through windows and buildings are set on fire, as we’ve seen in some incidents.”
Mental health calls continue to mount in Calgary calgarysun.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from calgarysun.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Police hate crime unit investigating after 10 Calgary churches vandalized calgary.ctvnews.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from calgary.ctvnews.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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My fingers trembled as I dialled, deleted and redialled the number to Distress Centre Calgary three times over. The first time I finally pressed the call button, I hung up just as the ringing began. It felt overwhelming to have to explain my feelings to a stranger and to be honest with myself how serious the despair had become.
I opened the online crisis chat instead. I thought it might be easier to talk to someone through a messaging service than have to piece together words through tears. I didn’t wait for someone to answer. What I’m sure was less than a minute felt like hours waiting for a response.