River of Life Church, located in San Francisco’s racially diverse Visitacion Valley, plans to increase security following a disturbing hate crime. Last Thursday, when April Cowan unlocked the church for an exercise class, she discovered a swastika drawn in black marker on the front church door.
Cowan, wife of Pastor Robert Cowan, called her husband and son, who serves on the San Francisco police force. A police investigation is now underway.
Meanwhile, the Cowans have been directed to SF Safe, a local nonprofit that teams with law enforcement to raise safety awareness throughout the community.
Swastika Graffiti on Church Door Stuns San Francisco Pastor
Speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle, Pastor Cowan describes being “stunned” and shocked by the hate crime. “That’s the very last thing I would have suspected in San Francisco,” he says. “Maybe if we were in Mississippi,” he adds, “but in a multicultural environment like Visitacion Valley, I was surprised.”
The valley, located in the city’s southeast region, features many family-based, working-class neighborhoods. The pastor, who is Black, leads a congregation of about 100 members, many of whom also are Black.
Although Pastor Cowan plans to have the scribbled swastika removed from the church door, he says that won’t occur right away. “It’s going to be after the congregation meets on Wednesday (June 1) so they can see it themselves and know what we’re dealing with,” he says. After Bible study tonight, he tells ChurchLeaders, he’ll have a better indication of whether anyone plans to stay home as a precaution.
When asked what he’d say to the person or people who drew the swastika, Cowan tells ChurchLeaders his initial conversation would be filled with questions. “I’m just very curious as to why they would choose River of Life and what their aim is,” he says, adding that he’d approach the situation as an “opportunity to dialogue.”
Church Will Boost Its Security Measures
The graffiti incident has sparked “anxious trepidation” among some River of Life congregants, Cowan says. Some people admit they’re now worried about an actual physical attack, especially in light of recent mass shootings at churches, schools, and grocery stores.
In addition to installing more cameras on the church property, Cowan says staff will instruct members how to respond if an intruder enters. “I would hate to have to do drills,” the pastor says, “but we are going to prepare the congregation.” First up will be an all-church meeting to talk about what occurred and then listen to people’s concerns and safety suggestions.
Training and vigilance are key to any church safety plan, according to experts. A well-trained team, says church-security trainer Ben O’Neal, “communicates that when you bring your family to that church, they’re going to be safe. You have somebody looking out for you so you can freely worship and learn.”
