L.A., with over 1,000 gangs terrorizing the neighborhoods, the police is devoting time to solve a "hate crime" that is nothing more than simple vandalism.

Gay nativity scene vandalized at Claremont church

December 29, 2011 | 12:37 pm

Claremont United Methodist Church has a Christmas tradition of unusual nativity displays, intended to carry a social or political message.

Despite some of the controversial topics, the scenes had never been vandalized or defaced, according to church officials and John Zachary, the artist who created the scenes.

But this year, suspects vandalized a nativity scene that included wooden light boxes with three couples holding hands -- a man and a woman, two women and two men -- under a star of Bethlehem and a sign that said "Christ is Born."

Church officials came in before the Christmas morning service to find that someone had pushed over the two gay couples and left the heterosexual couple standing.

The vandalism occurred sometime between 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 9 a.m. on Christmas Day, police said. No suspects have been identified.

In 1993, the church made a decision to be a "reconciling congregation" which welcomes gay, lesbian and trasngender members. This year's nativity display was intended to convey that message, Rhodes-Wickett said.