News

Actions

Two schools vandalized, graffiti included anti-religious symbols

Posted at 8:44 PM, Dec 31, 2014
and last updated 2014-12-31 22:44:11-05

SALT LAKE CITY -- Two Catholic schools in Salt Lake City were vandalized over the weekend, and police ask anyone with information about the crimes to contact them.

People living near Judge Memorial High School and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School reported graffiti to the police on Sunday.

Both schools had been spray painted with messages that included swear words and slang and symbols that were anti-religious.

Police officials said it may be the result of school rivalry, but they are also investigating it as a potential hate crime.

“Vandalism is a common thing, and school rivalry and that type of thing does occur, so we'll have to look into it to see if that's kind of the case here, but when it starts bringing the religious aspect into it, and, you know, constitutional rights and things like that, that does become a concern for us,” said Det. Richard Chipping of the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Anyone with information about the vandalism is encouraged to contact police.