Photographer working for peace is victim of burglary after equipment is stolen

PHILADELPHIA - A genuine blow for a local photographer who uses his skills behind the lens to promote peace on Philadelphia streets, as he is now the victim of a crime.

Photographer and videographer Vernon Ray has been on a mission to help young people in Philly choose a better path with his Shoot Cameras Not Guns program.

But, Ray is in need of some help himself, after someone smashed a back window of his SUV around 8:30 Tuesday morning, in a parking lot at Valley High Apartments on Henry Avenue in Roxborough.

What was stolen? Everything he needs to make a living and do good in the community.

He said, "When I tell you, my heart sank. When you get into a position to make change that makes things happen for individuals and all of that is taken from you in an instant."

Ray says he was only gone a short time and usually takes his expensive gear with him, but this one time, he left it in his vehicle, which has tinted windows and is difficult to see inside.

He explained, "I felt violated. I felt like a part of me was gone. We're talking at least five cameras, the laptop, plus memory cards, plus the hard drive. The hard drives alone run a couple dollars."

Ray says he has insurance, but it doesn’t come close to covering the $20,000 in stolen equipment, "I don't really ask for a lot of help. I'm in a space now, all the pride aside, I need the help today."

A colleague set up a GoFundMe to help Ray replace his camera gear, "This is our livelihood. This is something we really live and thrive to do."

In the meantime, Ray says he is going to keep doing what he does best – helping people, trying to make a difference and expressing himself through his art and photography. "End of the day, I'm just going to grind it out like I know how."