ARLINGTON – Painted on the front window of Shear’s Styling Salon is a biblical verse:
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11”
Spray-painted on the salon’s wall around the corner is a pentagram with the words “Satan … rules.”
The spray-painted graffiti is offensive to the salon’s owner, Laura Mills. Since she bought the salon in November, she has openly talked about Christianity with her customers. The Bible verse helps other Christians know they are welcome at her business, she said.
“It’s more than giving out haircuts,” Mills said. “It’s about a person’s whole well-being.”
Police have not arrested anyone for the graffiti. The initial police report Sept. 5 classified it as malicious mischief. The damage estimate was $10.
Arlington Police Chief John Gray said he would need to know more to determine whether the vandalism rises to the level of a hate crime.
“We have to look at what the intention of the offender was,” Gray said.
Despite what appears to be an obvious affront to the biblical verse on her salon, Mills said she does not fear for her safety.
“The Bible says, ‘Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world,’ ” she said.
Mills sees it as evidence of the presence of satanists in Arlington. She hopes other Christians in the area will form a support network.
“I don’t want to be told, ‘Hey, just ignore it,’ ” Mills said. “I want to be a part of something that moves forward and makes the community safe.”
Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@heraldnet.com.
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