Vandals strike pregnancy care center, local church

Last week a vandal or vandals struck the Alaska Heart Reach Pregnancy Care Center and the Wasilla Bible Church last week on the eve of the annual fundraiser held at the church to benefit the center.

“The person that did this we think hit the church that same night,” said Heart Reach Director Joyce Moropoulous, who said that someone spraypainted “Not a clinic” in black on all of the exterior walls of the building as well as the garage.

“They also put glue or silicone into the keyholes and sprayed the cameras.”

But not before an image of the person was captured.

According to Moropoulous, a police report has been filed and so far, have no leads that she knows of. She also believes it may be tied to a fundraiser the center held at Wasilla Bible Church, which was also vandalized.

“Based on the security images, it looks to be the same person. The vandal struck the evening of the fundraiser, which happens to be our biggest event,” she said.

Because of logistics, the Heart Reach Center vandalism is being conducted by the Alaska State Troopers, and the attack at Wasilla Bible Church is being led by the Wasilla Police Department, who had no information to provide at this time. They have asked that anyone with information to call MATCOM at (907) 352-5401, option 6.

Moropoulous says this isn’t the first time she has been a victim of vandalism. Saying that her personal vehicle has been attacked in the past.

“I believe it was meant to frustrate and take away attention from what we provide, which is pregnancy care and health services.”

She also isn’t the first clinic to experience vandalism-a clinic in Anchorage had also been vandalized in a similar fashion 3 times. She is also adamant that this latest episode has nothing to do with people wrongly believing they provide abortions.

While the paint has since been cleaned, and the silicone was cleared away using brake fluid, Moropoulous said it is still a violation and it’s frustrating.

“We are fortunate the damage wasn’t worse. It’s just destructive.”

Anyone with information about either vandalism attack is asked to contact MATCOM at (907) 352-5401, option 6.