NEW ORLEANS — Dozens of cars were broken into while people were worshiping at a New Orleans East church.
As parishioners were inside during mass Sunday morning, glass from smashed in windows was still scattered across the parking lot at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church.
"You come out to your car and the windows are all broken, this is ridiculous," said Elizabeth Scott who was not a victim of this weekend's car break ins, but has been attending the church for years.
It all happened Saturday night during a Filipino-Catholic celebration. While church members were inside, criminals were outside.
"You could think that you could come to church and nothing happen, but it did," said Michelle Morlier.
Church members reported 20 to 30 cars broken into.
"So basically about half the cars here," Kenneth Pecquet said.
A church usher told us there are cameras, but now there are discussions about adding security during mass services.
"Just have a little security, like we got cameras, but it seems like that's not really doing nothing," one parishioner said.
They want more security or police on the lookout.
"We need more police out her. I've been out here since 1977 and they've been saying the same thing, we don't have enough police for the seventh district, you need to do something about it, threes too much going on at all the churches," Scott said.
That same night, there were also reports of busted car windows in City Park during a wedding being held at Arbor Room at Popp Fountain. Guests claim nearly 20 cars were hit. According to City Park, there was security present, but met Sunday morning to discuss plans to increase security at the park.
"We encourage all of our patrons to not leave anything visible in their cars," a spokesperson said.
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