This Holiday, Jesus is Protected by GPS

People wishing to participate in the time honored holiday prank of stealing nativity scene figures and menorahs are going to be up against a worthy adversary this season. No, not retribution from a higher power, or the weight of their guilty conscience – instead, they will have to face off against modern technology. Churches and synagogues around the country are tricking out their holiday decorations this year with GPS tracking units to help recover the oft-stolen items.

USA Today reports:

Two years ago, Baby Jesus was stolen from Wellington, Fla.’s, display. So last year, village workers opened the back of a new Baby Jesus, rigged up a GPS device, sealed it inside, painted it over and dressed the figure.

When the ceramic doll was stolen a third time, police used the GPS signal to track it down in 12 hours at the home of a teenager who said he got it from another teen at a party. An 18-year-old girl was charged.

This year, the village of 60,000 added security cameras.

USA Today: “GPS, hidden cameras watching over Baby Jesus”