A cardboard box filled with electronic alarm system components sat beside the Rev. Edward Burns' desk as he explained his role in Newton's new Church Watch program.
Burns is the senior pastor of Newton First Pentecostal Holiness Church. The church was the victim of four break-ins this year. Three of those break-ins occurred between Feb. 15 and Feb. 23. Three other Newton churches were broken into that month, as well.
At first Burns was angry — then he decided to partner with his fellow church leaders in Newton and the Newton Police Department to help form the Church Watch group.
Like a traditional Community Watch, Church Watch is a collection of people taking the time to look after one another and keep an eye on Newton's churches, Burns said. Church leaders meet and then spread the word to their congregations to be observant and take notice of any unusual activity or people at any church in the area.
The message is simple: "If you're driving by a church and see something that looks suspicious, call the police," Burns said. "If someone is looking in church windows at night, chances are they're not supposed to be there."
Newton Police Chief Don Brown said the first meeting of the Newton Church Watch was held March 2. "We had about 19 churches represented at that first meeting," he said. There have been no church break-ins since that first meeting.
He said that so far about 35 of Newton's 55 churches have been represented at the monthly meetings. Burns' goal is to have all 55 churches take part.
Brown said he thinks the break-ins have stopped because several churches have installed new security systems, congregants are looking after the community's churches and his officers have stepped up their patrols and have focused their attention on making sure the buildings are secure.
Brown said although the investigation into the rash of break-ins is continuing, "We have not developed any really solid suspects."
The Newton First Pentecostal Holiness Church's security system is equipped with a number of features designed to deter would-be thieves, including motion sensor lights and an alarm that announces: "Warning — You are trespassing," when someone walks too close to the church after hours, Burns said.
The church's new motto is, "Our dreams are larger than our memories," because the pastor and his congregation are determined to continue to do the work they are called to.
"We have had opportunities to minister to people through this," Burns said. "What the Devil meant for bad, God meant for good."
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