By: Doug Miller
A large sign wishing the City of Long Beach a "Happy Hanukkah" was stolen from in front of St. Mary of the Isle Roman Catholic Church, 315 E. Walnut St., last Sunday night.
Police are investigating, but would not say whether the theft could be considered a hate crime. The sign, in its entirety, read, "Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukkah." The top two sentiments were still covered in red plastic sheeting, pending the arrival of Christmas.
"Today I'm a very sad priest," said the Rev. Thomas Donohoe of St. Mary's on Monday. "We've had that sign up for 15 years, and now this. It has nothing to do with the cost -- we've already had people call this morning offering to pay for it.
"Our community is very diverse: We are Christians, Jews, Muslims all living together in peace," he added. "I know prejudice exists out there, but this really hits home. This was a message of peace, and somebody didn't like it."
The case has been referred to the Long Beach detective squad.
Police commissioner John Laffey said state "hate crime" statutes were very broad, and it was too soon to determine if this theft was covered by them. "It's hard to say," said Laffey. "If there was a swastika that's visible to the community, then clearly it's a hate crime. This is a case of something being missing." Until there is an arrest, he explained, police will have difficulty assigning a motive.
"But on a personal level, I'm very upset that someone in our community would do this," Laffey added. "I was driving East on Park Avenue Friday night and I saw the sign. I thought, How nice, that the Catholic Church would wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah."
He said officers on patrol have been directed to pay extra attention to houses of worship during the remainder of the holidays.
The sign is made of plywood and was bolted onto two steel pipes. The bolts were loosened and left at the scene.
Anyone with information about the missing sign is encouraged to call the Long Beach Police Department's detective division at 431-5110.
