‘There needs to be swift response’: Chesterfield church defaced with racist threat; police investigating
State Sen. Mike Jones (D-Richmond) said that he drove up to Village of Faith Ministries in Midlothian last Sunday morning when he saw racist graffiti spray painted on the side of the church. Jones is the church’s pastor.
He immediately took photos of the graffiti and sent it to Chesterfield County Supervisor Jessica Schneider (Clover Hill), who represents the district where the predominantly Black church is located. She “was appalled by it,” he said.
According to the Chesterfield County Police Department, a report was filed the next day, Feb. 16.
Jones said he and Schneider waited to get a response from the county, but “they were a bit slow” initially. On Monday he shared the image on social media, calling the threatening message “a hate crime.”
“I think they’re coming around now,” he told The Richmonder.
“This type of hatred, this type of expression is hurtful and unwarranted. And it has no place in Chesterfield County or anywhere in the commonwealth,” he said. “There needs to be a quick response and answer when something like this happens and that’s the main reason why I came forward and shared it, so people can know.”
The vandalism occurred at some point between Feb. 8 and Feb. 15, said a police spokesperson. The officer on the scene observed graffiti, some of which appear to be months old, on several businesses in the shopping center where the church is located. When asked if the other graffiti also contained similar comments, the spokesperson said it “included explicit language and references to gangs and weapons.”
“The investigation is ongoing, police have increased patrols in the area,” they said.
Jones, who represents Richmond and parts of Chesterfield County, said that several of the supervisors reached out to share their concern and support when they learned of the incident.
Board of Supervisors Chair Dr. Mark Miller (Midlothian District) gave a statement on behalf of the governing body.
“We condemn acts of hate; such messages do not reflect who we are as a community,” he said, adding that the Board is in communication with police.
The church has experienced vandalism and break-ins before, like getting things thrown at it or shot at, Jones said. But it has never been to this degree in the 16 years of the building’s existence.
“The key is, when someone goes through something like this, there should be an open line immediately from all individuals involved, whether it’s local government, whether it’s local law enforcement. And we’re getting there,” he said. “But again, there needs to be swift response not just because of who I am or [what] our church is, but no one should go through that type of terroristic behavior.”
Anyone with additional information can call Chesterfield County Police at 804-748-1251.
Contact Reporter Victoria A. Ifatusin at vifatusin@richmonder.org
