Northside Jacksonville charity air conditioning units stolen

Organizer says group has been burglarized 3 times

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Northside Jacksonville charity that helps grieving families was the victim of a crime Sunday night, and it's the third time they've been victimized in just over a year.

"We do too much for this community to get robbed like this, it's pathetic," said Families of Slain Children's, Beverly McClain.

The air conditioning units were sitting alongside of the Families of Slain Children's building when the crooks struck. The organization had planned to secure the air conditioning units in cages on Monday, but now it's too late.

McClain started Families of Slain Children eight years ago after her son was killed. The group helps hundreds of families who have lost loved ones and now it's the third time they've been hit at their building on North Myrtle Avenue.

"We do a lot of work in this community, feed a lot of people over here," said McClain.

Back in 2012, computers were stolen from the building. Then in Aug. 2013, the group's air conditioning unit was stolen and with the community's help, they were able to put in a new air conditioning unit, only to have it stolen again.

"I pray for the person who did this," said McClain. "You better look out especially when you coming on God's property, this isn't mine. This is God's. He ordained this to be here, so I pray for them."

Police are still looking for whoever stole the AC units. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.


About the Authors:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.