Fourth Buddhist Temple Targeted by Burglars: Concerns Rise within the Community
The Houston Buddhist community is feeling increasingly on edge after another temple was targeted by burglars last week. This marks the fourth reported incident of burglary since September, and investigators suspect that there may be more cases that have gone unreported. Thanh Long Tu Temple, also known as the Culture of Golden Heart Association, filed a report for a burglary that occurred on September 29th. The suspect made off with cash from their donation box and damaged their altar.
In a separate incident, four men entered the temple last Sunday, but quickly left in a minivan after being greeted by a nun. While no crime was committed, this encounter prompted the temple to file a report about the September incident. Thuy Le, the attorney representing the temple, expressed her concern for the vulnerable community that these crimes impact. The temples often have open doors, welcoming anyone who wants to worship, burn incense, or pray. Unfortunately, this openness also makes them susceptible to exploitation.
Earlier this year, two Buddhist temples in southwest Houston were ransacked and burglarized within hours of each other. Intruders climbed through broken gates and windows, stealing hundreds of dollars in cash from the properties. In January, ABC13 reported on these incidents, which left the community feeling unsafe and violated.
Last Wednesday, the Texas Guandi Temple on Milby Street was targeted when someone broke several doors and stole cash. Additionally, a monk from Phuoc Duc Temple reported seeing someone peeking through their windows last week, raising concerns about potential further incidents.
The recent string of burglaries has put the community on high alert. Le suggests that there may be an uptick in burglaries during this time of year due to the Lunar New Year season when more community members visit Buddhist temples and donate money. Similar increases in crimes have been observed in other cities across the country.
Tuong Quang Temple in Baytown also experienced a break-in when burglars climbed through their windows on December 5th. Although they did not file a police report as nothing was taken, investigators are urging all potential victims to reach out to the Houston Police Department (HPD). They believe that these crimes are being underreported, which hinders their ability to track trends and take necessary actions.
There are several reasons why these crimes may go unreported within the community. Language barriers, fear of retaliation, and distrust of law enforcement contribute to the hesitancy to come forward. People within the Buddhist community are nervous and scared, not wanting to become the public face of these incidents or risk retribution. However, HPD and community representatives are urging anyone affected to contact them for support.
As concerns continue to rise within the Buddhist community in Houston, it is crucial that steps are taken to address these burglaries. Increased security measures and better communication between the community and law enforcement may help protect the temples and provide peace of mind to those who seek solace within their walls. The Houston Police Department needs the cooperation and trust of the community to effectively address and prevent these crimes from occurring in the future.
