Recent Crime Wave Caused By Satan: Opp Police Department

OPP, AL - A recent spate of crimes in Opp, Alabama, has people wondering what has caused the spike in homicides and violent crime. The Opp Police Department took to social media to address the issue, and pointed the finger at a possible culprit: Satan.

In a Facebook post - now deleted - according to Alabama Media Group, the department stated:

“THIS PAST SUNDAY, A YOUNG MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN KINSTON. MONDAY NIGHT, A MOTHER WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN NORTHERN COVINGTON COUNTY. THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE MURDERS IN COVINGTON COUNTY IN 2018. THESE MURDERS HAVE BEEN DONE BY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. THIS IS HAPPENING BECAUSE WE HAVE TURNED AWAY FROM GOD AND EMBRACED SATAN. WE MAY HAVE NOT MEANT TO DO SO BUT, WE HAVE. IT IS TIME TO ASK FOR GOD’S HELP TO STOP THIS. IT IS TIME TO BE PARENTS AND RAISE OUR CHILDREN, NOT HAVE THEM RAISE US. IT IS TIME TO FULLY SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND STAND BY THE OFFICERS AND DEPUTIES THAT ARE FAR TOO OFTEN HAVING TO WALK INTO THESE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AND CLEAN UP THE MESS. FRIENDS, IT IS TIME TO STAND UP AND BE RESPONSIBLE, GROWN UP LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. BOTTOM LINE, THERE ARE SHEEP; THERE ARE WOLVES AND THERE ARE SHEEP DOGS. WHICH GROUP DO YOU BELONG TO?”

This statement drew some criticism as it was passed around social media, and the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation says police in the town of 6,500 people are wrongly promoting religion with the social media message. The group says it's illegal for a government entity to endorse or criticize religious belief.

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This is not the first time the Freedom From Religion group has been involved in an Alabama issue. Just last year, the organization filed an official complaint to Trussville City Schools, claiming prayers conducted over the public address system at Hewitt-Trussville High School sporting events violate the First Amendment.

While the Opp Police Department did remove the social media post, no one from the department has made any kind of statement regarding the post.

Image via City of Opp/Facebook